Symbols and Symbolism in Literature

Mary tried to concentrate on the excuses Demetrius was making as he was going on and on in circles, but she was distracted when a small spider suddenly dropped from the ceiling on a thread of web. He hung there in the air for a moment, swinging back and forth just over Demetrius’ left shoulder. Demetrius continued to explain himself. Mary, rolling her eyes, half listening because she didn't believe him, as she watched the spider fasten one end of his thread to the door frame and set off once again through the air, beginning to build his web.

What is the SYMBOL in this story?

• spider

• Demetrius's shoulder

• door frame

Mary tried to concentrate on the excuses Demetrius was making as he was going on and on in circles, but she was distracted when a small spider suddenly dropped from the ceiling on a thread of web. He hung there in the air for a moment, swinging back and forth just over Demetrius’ left shoulder. Demetrius continued to explain himself. Mary, rolling her eyes, half listening because she didn't believe him, as she watched the spider fasten one end of his thread to the door frame and set off once again through the air, beginning to build his web.

What does the SPIDER symbolize?

• Mary being easily distracted.

• The "web of lies" that Demetrius is "spinning".

• Art and creativity as the spider builds his web.

Evan woke early feeling curiously light; the lightest he had felt since Leila’s death. Drawn by the early morning light, he pulled on his boots and set out for a walk. It rained in the night, so he tramped through the mud and strayed off the path to squat down and examine a curl of pale green plant shoving its way up out from under the earth that caught his eye.

What is the SYMBOL in the story?

• the rain

• the boots

• the plant

Evan woke early feeling curiously light; the lightest he had felt since Leila’s death. Drawn by the early morning light, he pulled on his boots and set out for a walk. It rained in the night, so he tramped through the mud and strayed off the path to squat down and examine a curl of pale green plant shoving its way up out from under the earth that caught his eye.

What does the PLANT symbolize?

• Start of new life and moving on after the death.

• A plant struggling to grow.

• Plants needing water to survive.

The chain Marley drew was clasped about his middle. It was long, and wound about him like a tail; and it was made (for Scrooge observed it closely) of cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses wrought in steel.

“You are fettered,” said Scrooge, trembling. “Tell me why?”

“I wear the chain I forged in life,” replied the Ghost. “I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it. Is its pattern strange to you?”

What is the SYMBOL in this passage?

• The pattern

• The ghost

• The chain

The chain Marley drew was clasped about his middle. It was long, and wound about him like a tail; and it was made (for Scrooge observed it closely) of cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses wrought in steel.

“You are fettered,” said Scrooge, trembling. “Tell me why?”

“I wear the chain I forged in life,” replied the Ghost. “I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it. Is its pattern strange to you?”

What does the CHAIN symbolize?

• The things you value in life, follow you in your afterlife.

• Marley was interested in working with steel.

• Marley lived a long life.

"On the outside eggs were boring, but I knew what was happening on the inside!"

What do the EGGS symbolize?

• The chickens growing inside.

• To look beneath the surface and see what's really inside.

• Science is fun.

The first day I met Bryce Loski, I flipped. Honestly, one look at him and I became a lunatic. It's his eyes. Something in his eyes. They're blue, and framed in the blackness of his lashes, they're dazzling. Absolutely breathtaking.

What do Bryce's eyes symbolize?

• Appearances aren't everything.

• They're blue and calm like Bryce.

• They're blue and dazzling just like Bryce's house.