Symbol 文学原理教程课件

1、Symbol,- Literally, sth. that stands for sth. else. In literature, any word, object, action or character that embodies and evokes a range of additional meaning and significance.,A symbol must suggest a meaning different in kind from its literal meaning; A symbol is something more than the representa

2、tive of a class or type. A symbol may have more than one meaning.,Functions,Symbols are often used to: 1. Suggest and reinforce meaning; 2. Provide enrichment by enlarging and clarifying the experience of the work; 3. Help organize and unify the whole.,Types,1. Traditional / Conventional Symbols 传统的

3、象征 - Those whose associations are the common property of a society or culture and are so widely recognized and accepted that they can be said to be almost universal.,Eg: Rose Love Spring Life Winter Death A journey on the road The journey through life Ring Eternity Big Ben London Great Wall China,Am

4、erican bald eagle United States Scales Justice A dove Peace Clenched fist Aggression,Fire, Flames Heat Hot temperatures Damnation,Crosses Angels Haloes Clouds Churches Salvation,2. Original Symbols 新创的象征 - Those whose associations are neither immediate nor traditional; instead, they derive their mea

5、nings, largely if not exclusively, from the context of the work in which they are used.,Eg: the A“ in The Scarlet Letter that Hester Prynne was forced to wear Representing she was an adulteress; Representing the first letter of the name of her illegitimate childs father, the Reverend Arthur Dimmesda

6、le.,Ways to Recognize Symbols,1. The frequency an object or character mentioned in a piece of literature. - If it is mentioned often, it is probably important.,2. Detail used in describing an object. - These two methods give clues that the writer wants you to infer something about a particular objec

7、t.,Symbolism & Allegory,Allegory - A narrative or description having a second meaning beneath the surface one. A concrete representation of an idea or concept in a direct, one-to-one relationship.,There is a clear interpretation of each allegorical element. No ambiguity exists at this level. A symbo

8、l is not so definite in meaning as an allegory,Eg: In Young Goodman Brown, Faith faith Name of Goodman the Browns wife, concept ( the character ) The character of Faith an allegorical element of the not a symbolic element story,Christian (基督徒) passes through the Slough of Despond (沮丧之沼泽) and Vanity Fair (虚荣市集) and arrives at the Celestial City (天国之城).