Understanding Symbols in the Arts

Are you stumped by symbolism?

Teachers often ask students to analyze the symbolism used in a particular piece of artwork, poetry, or literature. Students often freeze in fear at the suggestion.

If you’re like many students, you think the concept makes perfect sense when the teacher explains it. Sometimes a tree standing in a field really represents the loneliness a person experiences when he or she faces a difficulty or a brand new experience. That’s easy enough. But when you’re sitting all alone in your bedroom staring at a poem or a short story, you just can’t seem to identify any symbols at all.

It’s really not that difficult! Identifying a symbol is much like finding a theme. Just come up with an idea that really makes sense to you and then back it up with quotes and examples. This isn’t a black or white subject. There are lots of potential answers.

If you’d like to get a little practice identifying potential symbols, you may want to read over a list of common items used as symbols in art. The University of Michigan has a great website that contains a comprehensive Dictionary of Symbolism. You'll find a list that contains lots of objects and creatures commonly found in art and literature.

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