Symbolism is a writing technique used to represent something by a singular item or concept that stands for something else Symbolism is widely used across numerous mediums, such as literature, artwork, music and film. Symbolism is not only used to express an idea or emotion, but it can also be used to represent people, objects and themes. By writing essays on symbolism, writers can explore the complexity of various elements within a literary work and provide a deeper understanding of the text.
When writing an essay about symbolism, it is important to ensure that the essay topic is well-researched, specific and provides a unique perspective. Here are five examples of symbolism essay topics that provide an interesting outlook on how symbolism is used throughout literature.
1) The Use of Symbolism in William Shakespeare's Macbeth: In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses symbolism to capture the audience's attention and to explore the extent of power, ambition and guilt. This essay could explore the use of symbolic objects such as the daggers, death and the prophecies to illustrate these themes.
2) Symbolism in Emily Dickinson's Poetry: Dickinson is widely known for her use of symbolism to convey powerful messages. This essay could analyze the use of symbols such as the bees, death and the clock in her poems to explore the themes of life and death, time and the power of love.
3) Symbolism in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger: Holden Caulfield is a complex character and the symbolisms used throughout The Catcher in the Rye are key to understanding him and his journey. This essay could explore the use of the red hunting hat, the ducks in the pond and the carousel to illustrate the themes of innocence and alienation.
4) The Symbolism of Metaphors in Robert Frost's poetry: Metaphorical language is a powerful writing technique used by Frost to explore various themes. This essay could look at the use of metaphors such as the wall, the woods and fire to signify particular ideas.
5) Symbolism in the Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Fitzgerald uses symbolism to effectively create the universe of the novel and to explore the themes of wealth and power. This essay could consider the green light, the Valley of Ashes, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg and the man on the billboard to illustrate the power of Gatsby’s dream.
Overall, symbols play a huge role in literature and writing essays about symbolism can be incredibly rewarding. These five essay topics provide a unique perspective on how symbols are used to represent ideas, characters, objects and themes in a variety of texts.