"What is Symbolism?": A Literary Guide for English Teachers and Students

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 29 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 138

  • @SWLF
    @SWLF  3 роки тому +2

    This video now includes Spanish as well as English subtitles. For a full list of dual-language videos in our series, please see the following site: liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf/oregon-state-guide-english-literary-terms

  • @EphemeraProductions
    @EphemeraProductions 3 роки тому +56

    i want this guy as my teacher, he is so amazing

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  3 роки тому +7

      Thanks so much for your kind words, Téo! We're happy to hear you enjoyed the video and we hope you enjoy the others in our series as well!

    • @tk006
      @tk006 Рік тому +2

      Greetings General Kenobi

  • @_sweetdessert
    @_sweetdessert 4 роки тому +35

    That was actually very descriptive and easy to interpret, thank you!

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому +1

      Thanks so much, SweetDessert! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

  • @muneerasabry2204
    @muneerasabry2204 2 роки тому +4

    The best explanation. I loved it.
    Even my daughter loves watching your detailed video. Thank you so much.

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks so much for your kind words, Muneera! We hope you and your daughter enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

  • @thewanderer37
    @thewanderer37 3 роки тому +8

    Informative video, thank you! I'm currently writing a novel and exploring lots of different literature in the process, this helped me to progress my writing, and introduced me to a new author in Sorrentino.

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  3 роки тому +3

      Thanks so much, Anthony! We hope you find the other videos in our series useful to you as well. Good luck with that novel!

  • @calebrenji
    @calebrenji 4 роки тому +6

    Very Helpful, I used this to understand symbolism for my Literature task. Thank you.

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому

      Thanks so much for your kind words, Caleb. We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

  • @josuebenvindo
    @josuebenvindo 4 роки тому +29

    This video is a bless. Thank you from Brazil! Could you please indicate some books about this subject?

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому +2

      Thanks so much for the comment, josuebenvindo! We're delighted to see our series making its way to Brazil, and we hope all is well with you during the ongoing public health crisis in our two countries. If you are interested in learning more, you can visit our dedicated pages to each literary term on our website (in this case, here):
      liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf/what-symbolism
      These pages offer a full transcript of each video and include suggestions for further readings and applications for literature teachers and students.

    • @RickhunterSDF1
      @RickhunterSDF1 4 роки тому +1

      He’s responding to all the comments, what a mad lad

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому +4

      @@RickhunterSDF1 Ha! When COVID-19 and wildfire smoke keep you indoors, you have to do something to keep sane.

  • @SWLF
    @SWLF  4 роки тому +1

    Please drop us a comment to let us know what you thought of our video! Doing so will help us to build a rich digital learning environment around the topic of literary characters.

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому

      @Dan Thompson Thanks so much for your kind words, Dan. We'll be sure to add the suggestions to the growing list of terms we'd like to cover. And yeah, an entire series on theme--a concept that can be quite challenging for students to wrap their heads around--is a great idea.

  • @DIsfiguredDIno
    @DIsfiguredDIno Місяць тому +1

    This helped so much; Thank you!

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  Місяць тому

      Thanks so much, @DIsfiguredDIno ! We hope you check out more lessons from the series if you have the time!

  • @asmaaelsokkary1196
    @asmaaelsokkary1196 Рік тому

    I can't find a word to describe this beneficial leacture, thank you

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  Рік тому

      Wow, thanks so much for your kind words, asmaaelsokkary1196! We hope you enjoy the other lessons in our series as well!

  • @arwaezzy6457
    @arwaezzy6457 Місяць тому

    It helped me with my biggest exam thank you!! Very well lecture love itttt!!

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  Місяць тому

      Thanks so much, @arwaezzy6457 ! We hope you find the other videos in our series useful as well!

  • @nersha8472
    @nersha8472 3 роки тому +1

    Nicely explained, I'd love to see videos on novel reviews too.

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks so much for the suggestion, Nersha! We'll give it some thought as we plan out the future directions for the site.

  • @Kitbats
    @Kitbats 3 роки тому

    Incredible video. It helped me understand more on symbolism for my output and even in other parts of it indirectly.

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  3 роки тому

      Thanks so much, Denzel! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

  • @amrutha4814
    @amrutha4814 3 роки тому +1

    Thankyou ❤️ This gave me some ideas for my upcoming presentation

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  3 роки тому +1

      Awesome! Good luck with that presentation, Amrutha!

  • @muneerasabry2204
    @muneerasabry2204 Рік тому

    You are an amazing teacher.

  • @Sainikrish2000
    @Sainikrish2000 2 роки тому

    Your way of explanation amezing 👌👌👌👍👍☺️ So much useful video , love from India ❣️

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  2 роки тому

      Wow, thanks so much, Krishna! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

  • @hemalakshmi4250
    @hemalakshmi4250 3 роки тому

    Nicely explained sir 👏
    In The Portrait of the Artist as a Young man by James Joyce the protagonist is Stephen Dedalus
    Stephen symbolizes 1st Christian Martyr and Dedalus is a character from Greek Mythology, who escapes from Crete an island with handmade wings with wax and feathers...
    Like Dedalus, the protagonist of the novel finally escapes from Ireland which he feels limiting his talents and life!

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  3 роки тому

      Great work here, Hema! Joyce is quite a good choice for practicing your identification and interpretation of symbols. He certainly builds quite a few into Portrait...

    • @hemalakshmi4250
      @hemalakshmi4250 3 роки тому

      @@SWLF 😄👍

  • @chessematics
    @chessematics 2 роки тому

    Eye opening explanation. Thank you sir!

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  2 роки тому

      Thanks so much, Chessematics! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

  • @tinabaako1903
    @tinabaako1903 2 місяці тому

    This is so helpful! Thank you!

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  2 місяці тому

      You are very welcome, Tina! We are delighted to hear it and hope you enjoy the other video lessons in our series as well!

  • @gizmo5879
    @gizmo5879 3 роки тому +1

    That's so good informations, thanks a lott

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  3 роки тому

      Thanks so much for your kind words. We hope you enjoy the other videos in the series as well!

  • @rochellelaniog172
    @rochellelaniog172 4 роки тому +2

    Hi just wanna ask. what's the importance of symbolism in literature?

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому +4

      Great question, Rochelle! Authors will often build elaborate symbolic structures into their poems, plays, and stories, and understanding these structures can help us to better understand their themes, characters, and events.

  • @MuhammadSajjad_1992
    @MuhammadSajjad_1992 4 роки тому

    Such a beautiful explanation

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому

      Thanks so much, Muhammad! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

  • @lorenzohamar2778
    @lorenzohamar2778 4 роки тому +1

    Very well made video it really helped me out!

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому +1

      Thanks so much, Lorenzo! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

  • @isleastron8251
    @isleastron8251 4 роки тому +1

    Solid explanation! Can you also do some literary theory videos? Thanks in advance

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому +1

      Thanks for the suggestion, Isle! We've had a few suggestions for literary theory, and we tried out a bit of Freud in our "What is the Uncanny?" video. We may put more together later this year.

  • @tamarsilverman2009
    @tamarsilverman2009 9 місяців тому

    It was a bit confusing, but zi think J got thd gist, and a few examples of how to find symbols, and if they are simpler or more deep in their usage.

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  9 місяців тому

      Thanks, Tamar! If you'd like to see a full transcript of the lesson, check it out here: liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf/what-symbolism

  • @Ziaullah-bk5ut
    @Ziaullah-bk5ut 3 роки тому

    Short lecture but to the point 😍keep going

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  3 роки тому

      Thanks so much, Zia! We're trying to get a few more recorded before the start of the summer!

  • @tetzlaffjo
    @tetzlaffjo 4 роки тому +3

    I appreciate the broader context of the idea of symbolism here, ie that it is unique to the text, and not drawn from some universal meaning. But sometimes it's so hard to find the symbols in texts and parse out their meanings/significations. A few more examples here would have been really useful. Also, what's the difference between a symbol and a motif? You probably have a video about motif, and I'll go look it up now.

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому +3

      Thanks so much for this comment, Jodi! We agree that symbols can be complicated--particularly given the fact that they are not subject to universal categorization. Here's a really simple one taken from Star Wars (to keep with that theme). Whenever Darth Vader appears in that movie, hes usually accompanied by that stirring John Williams track "DonDonDon, Don DA Don, Don DA Don." This music doesn't, of course, HAVE to be associated with Darth Vader, but within the terms of the movie, it is. Incidentally, this is also an example of a motif (or, more specifically, a leitmotif) in which a certain musical phrase is associated (somewhat arbitrarily) with a given character. As this idea suggests, leitmotifs and motifs in general are recurring symbolic patterns, but symbols can also be one offs. Another example of a motif (and a symbol) is the mangled pink teddy bear that keeps showing up in AMC's terrific tv series Breaking Bad. That little teddy bear floating in the pool opens so many episodes of the show, and its strange recurrence forces us as readers to ask why it does--what the little bear is associated with either via metaphor (it is disfigured like Gus Fring is disfigured), synecdoche (a plane crash caused, indirectly, by Walter White's drug business causes the bear to fall into the pool), or metonymy (the character Jane Margolis).
      OK, one final big one. In Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, students often learn that a billboard advertising an eye doctor (TJ Eckleburg) stands in for God, because one character--the traumatized George Wilson--sees the billboard and says "God sees everything." In this dramatic moment, the billboard isn't a stand in for God. Wilson just imbues that billboard with that meaning after the death of his wife. This passage certainly speak to some complicated themes in the novel (e.g. we could talk for a LONG time about the significance of characters confusing capitalism/advertising with religion), but those discussions only make sense if we view symbols as less a marker of how to read the world "correctly" and more a marker of understanding a character's worldview, which is subject to debate. For more on this difference, see our "What is Free Indirect Discourse?" video.
      We hope that helped!

    • @Moodboard39
      @Moodboard39 3 роки тому

      In text??

  • @universalgrandpa
    @universalgrandpa 2 роки тому

    In two separate paragraphs answer the following based on reading by Nathaniel Hawthorne:
    What do you think the black veil symbolizes?
    What do you think the minister has been trying to tell the people through his symbolic gesture of the veil.

  • @lionhogwarts3642
    @lionhogwarts3642 Рік тому

    Can you make a video on epithet and allusion please

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  Рік тому

      Thanks for the suggestion, lionhogwarts3642! We do have a "What is an allusion?" up on our page, and we'll add epithet to the list!

  • @ZozoZozo-ym1yy
    @ZozoZozo-ym1yy 3 роки тому +1

    Hi professor ..Can you help. me to learn speaking English language ? I'm Arabic woman and like to learn English

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  3 роки тому +1

      Thanks so much for your suggestion, Zoza! We are rolling out a new video series on Standard English Grammar that we hope will be useful to you as you learn English. The first video in that series is available here: ua-cam.com/video/vZjNznvqgEs/v-deo.html

    • @ZozoZozo-ym1yy
      @ZozoZozo-ym1yy 3 роки тому

      @@SWLF Think you sir very much🌷

    • @ZozoZozo-ym1yy
      @ZozoZozo-ym1yy 3 роки тому

      Thank you

    • @ZozoZozo-ym1yy
      @ZozoZozo-ym1yy 3 роки тому

      @@SWLF thank you

  • @nisrinarrai593
    @nisrinarrai593 4 роки тому

    please, can anyone tell me wht is the symblosim of numbers in literature?

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому +2

      Hi, Nisrin. As with other symbols, there are no universal symbolic values for numbers in literature. The number 13, for example, is considered unlucky in American culture, but that number has nothing inherently ominous about it. A better approach to symbols is to determine how the text and its accompanying context encourages us to read a given number with symbolic value.

  • @lnews810
    @lnews810 4 роки тому +1

    Thanks so much 🙂

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому

      Happy to hear you enjoyed the video, Leesa! We hope you enjoy the others in our series as well!

  • @issraklearningworld1032
    @issraklearningworld1032 4 роки тому +2

    Very informative and helpful

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому +1

      Thanks so much, ILW! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well.

  • @raziabanoo5164
    @raziabanoo5164 3 роки тому

    Thanks sir , it was really helpful ❤️☺️

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  3 роки тому

      Thanks so much, Razia! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

  • @mmmessiahhh
    @mmmessiahhh 4 роки тому

    Thank you and god bless you all

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому

      Thanks so much, Siah! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

  • @Khatoon170
    @Khatoon170 5 місяців тому

    Symbolism is use or any person , situation , or object or present idea of same sort . Symbolism can be in variety of formats water , symbolism or rebirth fall , representing time change and growth, color yellow ad representing happiness. Characteristics of symbolism when object occurrence, action represents something beyond itself. Writers used symbolism to explain idea or concept to their readers in poetic manner without saying to outright of symbolism. . Types of symbolism are religious, romantic, emotional . Origin of symbolism initially developed as French literary movement in 1880s. Gaining popular credence with publication in 1886 of Jean morea manifesto in lefigaro . Symbolism founded by Gustavo khan and Jean morea . Symbolism first used by these writers who rejected Emile Zola naturalism and favored subjectivity of poets Stephane and Paul Verlaine who both exercised great influence. Symbolism adds depth and layers of meaning to story . Thank you for your wonderful educational literary channel.

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  5 місяців тому

      We love these references to the French Symbolists, Khatoon! (Though we are big fans of Zola...)

  • @abhikmodak3170
    @abhikmodak3170 4 роки тому

    Thank you alot! It has really helped me, best regards from India

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому +1

      Thanks so much, Abhik! We're so happy to see our videos getting some international views!

    • @abhikmodak3170
      @abhikmodak3170 4 роки тому

      @@SWLF You guys deserve more

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому +1

      @@abhikmodak3170 We're trying! Thanks for getting the word out!

  • @trulyhelpless
    @trulyhelpless 2 роки тому

    This is what I needed

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  2 роки тому

      Excellent! We're so happy you found the lesson useful and we hope you enjoy the other videos in the series as well!

  • @timeandattention3945
    @timeandattention3945 4 роки тому

    How are symbols different from signs ?

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому +2

      Great question, Lebohang! Symbols can change fairly dramatically from poem to poem or story to story. Signs, however, are agreed upon symbols within a given community. In other words, symbols are more variable than signs.

  • @imendridi410
    @imendridi410 Рік тому

    Thank you

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  Рік тому

      You're very welcome, imen! We're delighted to hear that you found the lesson useful.

  • @hungkc007
    @hungkc007 3 місяці тому

    English literature a lot of people have forgotten about symbolism which is very sad in society .

  • @legolas-spock-skywalker
    @legolas-spock-skywalker 4 роки тому +8

    Hold up... we're 𝘢𝘭𝘭 going to die sooner than we think? ...what do you know that I don't???

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому +1

      Ha! That's just a bit of dark humor, we'd say.

    • @itbehedanielg
      @itbehedanielg 3 місяці тому

      only if we don't stop the red

  • @nibuminuvlog4317
    @nibuminuvlog4317 6 місяців тому

    Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious❤❤

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  6 місяців тому

      Ha! Thanks so much, @nibuminuvlog4317 ! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

  • @atomicflea4360
    @atomicflea4360 3 роки тому +1

    2:46 we're 𝘢𝘭𝘭 going to die sooner than we think, hmm what about imoratals

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  3 роки тому +1

      Ha! Yes, except for us immortals.

  • @Moodboard39
    @Moodboard39 3 роки тому

    Symbolism is very interesting. It was known in Russian literature.

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  3 роки тому

      Interesting! Could you give us an example or two, Alchemist?

  • @R2GamerM
    @R2GamerM 3 роки тому +1

    Me link kro ya unlink

  • @lohithreddy2121
    @lohithreddy2121 9 місяців тому

    Thanks u sir

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  9 місяців тому

      You're very welcome, @lohithreddy2121 ! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

  • @archaicnymph2977
    @archaicnymph2977 4 роки тому +1

    Are you paid specifically to respond to all comments? Who runs the channel directly?

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому +8

      No one is getting paid for this project, ArchaicNymph. We're all just taking a bit of time out of our regular schedules to do a bit of public outreach.

    • @nayajouri9824
      @nayajouri9824 3 роки тому +2

      what's the difference between allegory and Symbolism

    • @Moodboard39
      @Moodboard39 3 роки тому +1

      @@nayajouri9824 Allegory and symbolism are often confused, but they are not the same thing. Symbolism is the use of symbols, usually physical objects, to represent abstract ideas or qualities. ... Allegory is a work that makes extensive use of symbolism in order to communicate a broader moral or meaning.

  • @5464654135756
    @5464654135756 2 роки тому

    I don’t get it

  • @andrewholloway942
    @andrewholloway942 Місяць тому

    A cross is an example

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  Місяць тому

      Nice work here, Andrew. Thanks for keeping the conversation going!

  • @denisebastick9825
    @denisebastick9825 4 роки тому +1

    it could mean allot of things 😐😐😐😐

  • @wormly57
    @wormly57 4 роки тому +6

    Thanos

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 роки тому +8

      We're gonna go ahead and assume that you meant thanks rather than the supervillain Thanos from the Avengers movie series here. Thank you for supporting the series!

  • @johnyoutube6746
    @johnyoutube6746 3 роки тому

    Bible is full of symbolism

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  3 роки тому

      It is indeed! What did you have in mind? And thanks for the comment, john! We hope you enjoy the other videos in our series as well!

    • @johnyoutube6746
      @johnyoutube6746 3 роки тому

      @@SWLF
      I been reading bible since I was a kid
      Now I know that there are many hidden messages in the bible through symbolism

    • @Moodboard39
      @Moodboard39 3 роки тому +1

      Yea, revelation is full of symbolic

    • @Moodboard39
      @Moodboard39 3 роки тому +1

      @@johnyoutube6746 indeed. And full of parables, symbolic, allegory , metaphor , figure of speech

    • @johnyoutube6746
      @johnyoutube6746 3 роки тому

      @@Moodboard39
      Do you know what/who is the God in the bible

  • @HemiClips
    @HemiClips 2 роки тому

    Turi ip ip ip

  • @ivysamino
    @ivysamino 2 роки тому

    turi ip ip ip

  • @morescodesup2087
    @morescodesup2087 11 місяців тому

    Is this memes for academics?

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  11 місяців тому

      Ha! Interesting metaphor, @morescodesup2087 ! But what is the nature of the vehicle / tenor relationship here? Check out our "What are vehicles and tenors?" video and then let us know your thoughts...

  • @ILLUMINONY
    @ILLUMINONY 3 роки тому

    Makes you think about what the eye on the pyramid behind the dollar bill means huh?
    👁 #followthewhiterabbit🕳🐇

  • @ReyanshGyaneshwar-x1i
    @ReyanshGyaneshwar-x1i 4 місяці тому

    bro got racist

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 місяці тому +1

      Hmm, well, we certainly disagree, Reyansh. If you check out the entire video, Prof. Elbom is suggesting that popular culture often creates simplistic symbols based upon color, but those very symbols (like white) are NOT universal symbols invested with one meaning.

    • @ReyanshGyaneshwar-x1i
      @ReyanshGyaneshwar-x1i 4 місяці тому

      @@SWLF i was just kidding

    • @ReyanshGyaneshwar-x1i
      @ReyanshGyaneshwar-x1i 4 місяці тому

      @@SWLF i know you said that
      i watched the vid till the end

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  4 місяці тому +3

      @@ReyanshGyaneshwar-x1i Phew! Thanks, Reyansh!

  • @intellectually_lazy
    @intellectually_lazy Рік тому

    seriously? that's all? really not much, is it? barely a snack. gtfooh! come back when you got something

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  Рік тому

      Hmm, well we certainly disagree, @intellectually_lazy . We try to keep these videos incredibly short to encourage viewers to pursue the topic for themselves in greater depth. They are meant to be a starting point, not a complete picture.

    • @jeremiahnoar7504
      @jeremiahnoar7504 5 місяців тому

      I would sugest a book on Semiology, the study of signs and symbols. A good text book on the subject will go through
      - the three main types of symbols; Symbolic, iconic and Indexical
      - the main players in studying symbols, like linguists like Sausure, Levi-Strass, and pragmatists like Barthes, Propps, Jakobson
      -it should discuse in detail the differences between the two basic communication dimensions of Loungue and Parole
      -and should explain how contex encodes meaning into symbols.
      That would be a good place to start if you want the meat and potatoes.

  • @muneerasabry2204
    @muneerasabry2204 Рік тому

    Sir, can I have your email

    • @SWLF
      @SWLF  Рік тому

      We can't guarantee a response, but you are welcome to reach out to our main office to share any questions you might have for our professors. The contact info is available here: liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf

  • @johaniskandar894
    @johaniskandar894 2 роки тому

    Turi ip ip ip

  • @lucianlws
    @lucianlws 2 роки тому

    Turi ip ip ip