Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Symbols and Themes as Techniques


  • Symbol – person, place or thing in a story that represents an abstract idea or concept (flower=virtue; bald eagle=America) à preferably (skillfully) the symbols in your work will reinforce the story’s main theme, and be able to be understood as representing what you intend in a non-grotesque way!

  • Allusion – phrase or figure of speech that references a specific piece of art, literary piece, cultural reference (including events, pop cult), and myths (le royale with cheese – alludes to Pulp Fiction; the British Invasion and mop heads à the Beatles)

  • Allegories – extended metaphor in which you can see the characters and the action of a story as having dual meaning that refers to and relies on an outside person/story (often religious, moral, political, social)à the literal meaning within the story and the referenced person/story à  Example: a character may have the characterization and actions that refer to Jesus Christ. Or, a story may have a plot that reminds people of a famous political scandal, like Watergate or JFK’s affair with MM!

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