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How to Analyse Symbolism in Literature for English Class

It's time to level up your text analysis skills. Learn how to analyse symbolism in literature and uncover what’s really being said.

Written by:
Matrix English Team
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Literature is a rich tapestry woven with themes, characters, and plots. But at its core lies the artistic use of symbolism. Symbolism allows authors to give their work deeper meaning, inviting readers to look beyond the surface. Here’s everything you need to know to analyse symbolism in literature and ace text analysis in English class.

Table of contents:

What is symbolism?

Symbolism is when something — like an object, colour, or setting — stands for more than just what it is.

For example, a rose might symbolise love, and a raven might represent death or mystery. These symbols help authors say a lot without using many words.

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How composers use symbolism in literature

1. Adding depth to themes

One of the primary functions of symbolism is to deepen the thematic elements of a story. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock symbolises Gatsby’s unreachable dreams and desires. It signifies hope and how the American Dream can feel just out of reach, showing the gap between desires and reality.

2. Character development

Symbols also play an instrumental role in character development. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the mockingbird symbolises innocence and the idea of not harming those who do no harm. This symbol poignantly underscores the moral lessons imparted to Scout and Jem, reflecting their journey from innocence to a more complex understanding of humanity.

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Symbolism in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee

3. Setting the mood

The setting can also be filled with symbolism. The decaying state of the house in Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher reflects the deteriorating mental state of the people living inside it. The crumbling structure is a physical manifestation of the family’s decline, contributing to the overall mood of despair and decay in the story.

4. Evoking emotions

Symbols often evoke emotions tied to personal and cultural contexts. For example, white is frequently associated with purity and peace; however, in some cultures, it can signify mourning (as seen in various Asian traditions). Authors use these emotional connections to make their stories more powerful and relatable..

How to analyse symbolism in literature

You can identify symbols by looking for objects, actions, or themes that appear repeatedly or seem to carry more weight than their literal meaning.

Here are some simple tips to help you recognise and interpret symbols:

  • Look for repetition: If something shows up often, it might be a symbol. This includes objects, colours, or even actions.
  • Think about context: Ask how to symbol connects to the characters, the plot, and the setting. What emotions or ideas does it invoke?
  • Compare opposites: Some symbols work in contrast to each other, like light and dark, or freedom and control. Seeing how they work together can reveal deeper meaning.
  • Notice how characters react: How do the characters react to the symbol? Their feelings and actions might reveal a lot about what it represents.

Our Matrix English experts teach these exact techniques in our structured term courses — so you’re never stuck wondering what a symbol means.

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Matrix Education High School English class

Why context matters

Symbols don’t always mean the same thing to everyone. Their meaning can change based on culture, time, or personal experiences. For example:

  • Cultural cariations: In Western cultures, white often stands for purity. But in some Eastern cultures, it can symbolise mourning or death.
  • History and politics: A symbol like a flag might stand for freedom or national pride in one political context or period, but could represent control or protest in another. 
  • Personal experience: Your background and experiences also affect how you understand symbols. What one person sees as hopeful, another might see as sad.

To understand symbols in a story, pay attention to how they’re used, how often they appear, and how they make people feel. Knowing the cultural and historical background can also help you see the deeper meaning behind them.

Examples of symbolism in classic literature

1. The whale in Moby-Dick

The giant white whale isn’t just a whale — it symbolises obsession and the dangers of chasing something too hard. It also reflects the struggle between humans and nature, or the idea of fighting fate.

2. The green light in The Great Gatsby

The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock symbolises Jay Gatsby’s aspirations and the elusive nature of the American Dream. It embodies hope, desire, and the inevitable disillusionment that comes with chasing idealised goals.

3. The scarlet letter in The Scarlet Letter

At first, the letter “A” symbolises sin, shame, and social ostracism. But it evolves into a representation of strength and resilience. This transformation invites you to explore themes of redemption and personal growth even in the face of society’s judgement. 

4. The mockingbird in To Kill a Mockingbird

The mockingbird is a powerful symbol of innocence and the moral obligation to protect those who do not deserve harm. Killing the mockingbird is a metaphor for injustice inflicted upon the innocent, underscoring themes of morality and human dignity.

5. Big brother in 1984

George Orwell uses Big Brother to symbolise oppressive government surveillance. It shows what life could be like without freedom or privacy under a harsh and controlling system.

matrix education george orwell 1984
Symbolism in ‘1984’ by George Orwell

Examples of symbolism in modern literature

In modern stories, authors still use symbols to add deeper meaning. Here are a few examples:

1. The mockingjay in The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)

  •  Symbolism: The Mockingjay symbolises rebellion and hope against oppressive authority.
  •  Interpretation: At first, it’s just a bird, but it grows to represent the protagonist’s fight for freedom and resistance

2. The road in The Road (Cormac McCarthy)

  •  Symbolism: The road represents survival, the journey of life, and the hope for a better future in a post-apocalyptic world.
  •  Interpretation: The bleak world symbolises literal survival and, metaphorically, humanity’s moral survival.

3. The house in The House on Mango Street (Sandra Cisneros)

  •  Symbolism: The house symbolises the protagonist’s dreams, identity, and the gap between her aspirations and reality.
  •  Interpretation: Over time, it shows the limits placed by poverty and the desire to find freedom and identity.

Conclusion

Symbols help stories say more than what’s written. These carefully selected symbols add meaning and help us think more deeply about the characters, their choices, and the world around them. When you read, keep an eye out for repeated images, objects, or actions — they often tell a bigger story beneath the surface. 

It takes practice to analyse symbolism in literature. With the right support, it becomes second nature.

Matrix English students build these skills every week through structured lessons, exam-style practice, and expert feedback.

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Written by Matrix English Team

The Matrix English Team are tutors and teachers with a passion for English and a dedication to seeing Matrix Students achieving their academic goals.

© Matrix Education and www.matrix.edu.au, 2023. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Matrix Education and www.matrix.edu.au with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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