Symbolism

Imagery

Simile Metaphor

Personification

Aural imagery• Alliteration• Assonance

• Onomatopoeia

Symbol

symbols are objects used to represent other things or

ideas.

+

In literature, symbols are ‘full’ or ‘dense’ with

meaning and are used to develop themes and

atmosphere in the text.

•Frequency of use in the text

•Descriptive detail afforded to it

•Images shared across the author’s works

•Images shared across the genre

•Images shared by the time period

Recognising the Signs

Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy. He hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! My gorge rises at it.

Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering whale; to the last I grapple with thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee.

And I had done an hellish thing,And it would work 'em woe :For all averred, I had killed the birdThat made the breeze to blow.Ah wretch ! said they, the bird to slay,That made the breeze to blow !

And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sittingOn the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming.And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floorShall be lifted---nevermore!

The Road Not TakenRobert Frost