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

What is symbolism in literature? Are symbols in literature universal? Senior Lecturer Gilad Elbom answers these questions using examples from everyday life and Gilbert Sorrentino's novel Under the Shadow. The short video is designed to help high school and college English students to not only identify symbolism in stories and poems but also to avoid symbolic over-reach as they analyze its structure and purpose.

Spanish as well as English subtitles are now available for this video. To switch between languages, click on the "settings" button in the video.

#LiteraryTerms​ #remotelearning​ #literature​

Timestamps
0:00 Symbolism Basic Definition
0:54 Are Some Symbols Universal?
1:27 Symbolism Advanced Definition
2:50 Symbolism Extended Example

Below are a few more videos in the series. Please drop us a comment letting us know what literary terms you would like us to explore in future videos!

[EphemeraProductions]

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

[_sweetdessert]

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

[muneerasabry]

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

[thewanderer]

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.

[josuebenvindo]

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

[calebrenji]

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

[asmaaelsokkary]

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

[amrutha]

Thankyou ❤️ This gave me some ideas for my upcoming presentation

[tamarsilverman]

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]

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.

[rochellelaniog]

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

[hemalakshmi]

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!

[nersha]

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

[Kitbats]

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

[Kailashsaini]

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

[chessematics]

Eye opening explanation. Thank you sir!

[universalgrandpa]

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.

[Khatoon]

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.

[tetzlaffjo]

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.

[giz]

That's so good informations, thanks a lott