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Symbols in Poetry

Veronica Iredale

Definition:

Definition

The use of an object and/or word in order to portray an abstract idea. Symbols can be used to give deeper meaning.

Note: The symbolic meaning of a word or object is usually different than the literal meaning.

Common symbols: dove, red rose, black, moon, etc.

Poems

Poems Using Symbolism

"Wild Asters",

"Directive", "London"

"Wild Asters"

-Sara Teasdale

Daisies: the author uses daisies to symbolize wisdom that comes with age and experience. "Clear-eyed" can be seen as level-headed, and "always knew" suggests wisdom that goes along with the concept of age.

Asters: asters in this poem could represent youth and ignorance. We can infer that after the daisies have died for the season and the weed-like asters sprout and take over the fields, "not one knows" suggests youthful ignorance.

In the spring I asked the daisies

If his words were true,

And the clever, clear-eyed daisies

Always knew.

Now the fields are brown and barren,

Bitter autumn blows,

And of all the stupid asters

Not one knows.

"Directive"

-Robert Frost

House of make-believe, playhouse: Frost uses a playhouse or a "house of make-believe" to represent the Chirstian church. He continues with this symbol throughout the poem, claiming that those who contribute to the playhouse are like children.

First there's the children's house of make-believe,

Some shattered dishes underneath a pine,

The playthings in the playhouse of the children.

Weep for what little things could make them glad.

Then for the house that is no more a house,

But only a belilaced cellar hole,

Now slowly closing like a dent in dough.

This was no playhouse but a house in earnest.

Your destination and your destiny's

A brook that was the water of the house,

Cold as a spring as yet so near its source,

Too lofty and original to rage.

(We know the valley streams that when aroused

Will leave their tatters hung on barb and thorn.)

I have kept hidden in the instep arch

Of an old cedar at the waterside

A broken drinking goblet like the Grail

Under a spell so the wrong ones can't find it,

So can't get saved, as Saint Mark says they mustn't.

(I stole the goblet from the children's playhouse.)

Here are your waters and your watering place.

Drink and be whole again beyond confusion.

"London"

-William Blake

Palace Walls: Palace walls are a symbol for the monarchy and the cruel institution of Blake's time. "Runs in blood" may be a nod to the royal family's bloodline.

Chimney-sweepers: this is a symbol of child-labor in Blake's time. This is a complex symbol that would require knowledge of the time when this poem was written.

I wander thro' each charter'd street,

Near where the charter'd Thames does flow.

And mark in every face I meet

Marks of weakness, marks of woe.

In every cry of every Man,

In every Infants cry of fear,

In every voice: in every ban,

The mind-forg'd manacles I hear

How the Chimney-sweepers cry

Every blackning Church appalls,

And the hapless Soldiers sigh

Runs in blood down Palace walls

But most thro' midnight streets I hear

How the youthful Harlots curse

Blasts the new-born Infants tear

And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse

How to Find Symbols in Poetry

How to Find Symbolism

  • As we've seen, finding symbolism can be more difficult to locate than other devices in poetry.
  • Analyzing a poem is really the only way to determine symbols.
  • Look for context.
  • Determining the tone of the poem and what emotion the author is displaying can sometimes be helpful. (Grim tone can suggest that certain elements in the poem are representative of other concepts).

Questions?

Questions?

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