Episode 94: Let's talk about Symbolism

Today, Fable and the Verbivore are rounding out their mythology and fairytales conversations with an episode on symbolism.

There are many frameworks for defining and describing types of literary symbolism. We reference one of these, but feel that the most important feature of symbolism is that wherever it’s used the word or element contains additional meaning and attributes beyond just the surface level definition. It can also serve as a sort of shorthand, giving a reader a known element to build the unique aspects of a story upon.

We mention that the authors intended meaning and the contextual meaning that the reader brings to a story may not always work together in harmony. For writers, researching and paying attention to the cultural context of a setting and timeframe for the story can be helpful to ensure the symbolism is used to your advantage and to avoid attaching unintended meaning to some of your story elements.

Some examples we discuss include the green light in The Great Gatsby, the gift of gloves in Caraval, the ribbons, flowers, and seeds in The Grace Year, and the snake biting its own tail in Mexican Gothic. We also talk about symbols as a way to set your story apart and make it distinctive, many book covers take advantage of key visual elements to draw a reader in to a story.

We hope you enjoy listening to this episode! Keep reading, writing, and putting your voice out there!

Into the woods,

Fable & The Verbivore

Notes:

The literary symbolism framework that’s broken into five types can be found here:

  • https://www.thebalancecareers.com/symbol-definition-fiction-writing-1277138

The Verbivore mentioned listening to author Amy Tan’s Masterclass and a part of her class that touches on symbolism. There is no financial incentive for us to discuss this product, we just both took and enjoyed this class:

  • https://www.masterclass.com/classes/amy-tan-teaches-fiction-memory-and-imagination/chapters/meet-your-instructor-amy-tan#

The Verbivore mentions the New York play Sleep No More based on the story of Macbeth. In case you are interested in more information, here is a link:

  • https://mckittrickhotel.com/sleep-no-more/

Here’s the full quote from Lady Macbeth about the blood on her hands:

  • “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!—One, two. Why, then, ’tis time to do ’t. Hell is murky!—Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?—Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him.”

The Verbivore referenced a Ted Talk on Symbolism and Branding. Here is the link to that video:

  • How symbols and brands shape our humanity | Debbie Millman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-W_KgZhG_A

Books Mentioned:

Movies Mentioned:

Music from: https://filmmusic.io
’Friendly day’ by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
Licence: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Bethany Stedman