1. Introduction
2. Understanding Symbolism
3. How to Use Symbols in Fiction
   1. Choosing Meaningful Symbols
      1. Here are some ideas to choose the right symbols for your story:
4. Symbolism and Reader Interpretation
5. Conclusion:

Introduction

Symbology, objects, and gestures are all key elements of memorable fiction. Harry Potter has the Deathly Hollows, The Hunger Games has the gesture used by Katniss, and Star Wars has the Empire’s logo. These and many more are examples of symbols in fiction and they are something that distinguish a fan of a story for those who know. But why do we care about creating symbols as writers? And do we know which symbols will be the most remembered?

Why are symbols so important to memorable fiction? It’s much more than identifying fans of yours and others works. Using symbols can communicate an identity the character has built, or will build, with the symbol. Consider what subconsciously happens in your mind when your favorite character loses their symbol or item that they’ve built their identity behind. It’s also not just for characters, but to represent themes, make a political statement, or to fill in the gaps of the reader’s knowledge for the story. Today we’ll break down symbols/symbolism to help you use it more in your writing.

Understanding Symbolism

Symbolism is the use of a person, object, or place to carry more meaning beyond its literal meaning. While this is the most widely accepted definition of symbolism, don’t forget that it can also include phrases and gestures. So understanding symbolism a little more, let’s look at one example from literature.
Like those symbols mention above, another example of symbolism is the green light in “The Great Gatsby.” The green light is a great example of a symbol that changes its meaning. At the opening of The Great Gatsby, it acts as a symbol of all Gatsby’s hopes, dreams, and desires that exist far out of his reach. Yet, just like reaching out to grasp a distant light, the dream proves to be delusional and unachievable. And by the end of the book, it’s a universal symbol of the unreachable dream that we all strive for. That dream varies by person, but the basis lives within us.

How to Use Symbols in Fiction

“Fiction writers can’t help using symbolism; humans are always relating to each other symbolically.” Jerome Stern in Making Shapely Fiction.

Choosing Meaningful Symbols

Symbols are amazing and powerful tools in your fiction writing adventures. Creating an object to carry the reader through the story’s difficulties gives them something to hold on to. But, you want to choose the right symbol. Choosing the right symbol will be based on your story. I wish I could tell you an exact formula, but by studying the symbols used in the stories you love, you’ll be able to find the right symbol for you.

Here are some ideas to choose the right symbols for your story:

• Look at the goal of your story, characters, and plot. Often, as writers, we leave gifts for ourselves without even realizing it. Even though it’s a pain to go re-read your writing, do it, and not just for the editorial process. See what your brain snuck into the paragraphs of character and world building. What symbols align with the goals mentioned above? And once you find it, ask yourself if it’s a powerful enough symbol to carry that meaning.
• Ask if it makes sense for your story. Not every story is going to have a major symbol that carries across every chapter. So when you’re choosing the right symbol, don’t force one in there just because you want it in there. A reader, more than anyone, can tell when a symbol was forced. And this will tie in with the next tip.
• Avoid overdoing clichéd or overused symbols. Cliché symbols like rainbows and doves can feel trite or unoriginal if used in conventional ways. Readers may tune them out because they’ve become so familiar. However, you can breathe new life into them through subversion. For example, a rainbow appears at what should be a hopeful moment, but is revealed to be an ironic backdrop to disaster or turmoil. Or, Doves are traditionally white, but your story features black doves that represent a corrupted peace or illusion of harmony.

These are only a few ideas, but play with your symbols, find the questions that are important to you and your story. Then put them into play. Watch how the symbols affect your characters, theme, and story to decide if it’s really the right one for you to use.

Symbolism and Reader Interpretation

Beyond the use of icons or emblems, you can use symbolism to convey the type of character your reader is interacting with. Using common clothing styles, brands, or other attributes can fill in the reader without a full page of backstory on the character. While using whether they like Pepsi or Coca-Cola doesn’t make much of a difference, showing how someone dresses can. While you don’t want to rely heavily on stereotypes, they are tools.

The reader knows that the high school boy with long greasy hair is most likely a hooligan up to no good. An old man with a long beard walking around in a robe and carrying a stick-like object is most likely a wizard. Though that can be debatable. A person who drives a Ferrari versus the person who drives a Honda Civic most likely means different lifestyles, incomes, choices. Before you use a symbol to show a character off, refer to the section above about choosing the right symbol.

I encourage you to engage and analyze the symbols in the stories you read. As many famous and well-established authors have said, the best writers are readers. Try to look back at your last read, or as you begin your next read, and find:

• Begin with the title. What words are used, and what imagery does it initially present in your mind? You may not see it right away as you start the book, but watch for anything connected to the title. Often our initial interpretation will be subverted or we’ll happily be right.
• Watch for repetition. Repeating words, phrases, or objects can be a quick clue in of the story’s symbolism.
• Discuss with others. Talking over the book, or searching on the internet to see what others have found is a great way to understand symbolism. Because even if the analysis of the symbols matches or doesn’t match the author’s intent, you’ve gained your own experience from that reading.

Conclusion:

In closing, handle symbols in your fiction intending to maximize their impact. Make conscious choices that organically tie your symbols to character development and central themes. While tried-and-true symbols have their place, don’t be afraid to subvert clichés in clever ways. Layer your symbols with an evolving significance that engages readers on multiple levels. When crafted thoughtfully, symbolism can capture the essence of your story and linger in the minds of readers long after the last page. Strive to create resonating symbols that become a mark of your fiction.

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