libterm.com Symbolism enhances meaning by using objects, colors, or figures to represent larger ideas or themes in literature and art. This technique deepens your understanding of a work by connecting tangible elements with abstract concepts. Explore the rest of the article to discover how symbolism enriches storytelling and visual expression.
Table of Comparison
| Aspect | Symbolism | Objective Correlative |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Use of symbols to represent ideas and emotions indirectly. | A set of objects, situations, or events that evoke a particular emotion effectively. |
| Origin | 19th-century literary movement, primarily French poets like Baudelaire and Mallarme. | Coined by T.S. Eliot in the 20th century, notably in his essay "Hamlet and His Problems" (1919). |
| Purpose | To suggest deeper meanings through imagery and metaphor. | To convey emotions objectively without explicit explanations. |
| Technique | Abstract symbols representing complex ideas. | Concrete, external elements inducing specific feelings. |
| Example | A rose symbolizing love or passion. | In "Hamlet," the "objective correlative" of grief is expressed via external events and objects. |
| Impact on Reader | Engages imagination to interpret symbolic meaning. | Triggers emotion directly through relatable, tangible references. |
Introduction to Symbolism and Objective Correlative
Symbolism employs objects, characters, or events to represent deeper meanings beyond their literal sense, enriching literature with layered interpretations. The objective correlative, a term popularized by T.S. Eliot, refers to a set of objects or situations that evoke a specific emotion, enabling writers to express feelings indirectly but powerfully. Both devices enhance thematic depth, with symbolism often relying on broader representation and the objective correlative creating precise emotional resonance through tangible elements.
Defining Symbolism in Literature
Symbolism in literature involves using symbols--objects, characters, or events--that represent larger abstract ideas or themes, enriching the narrative by adding deeper meaning beyond the literal sense. It enables writers to convey complex emotions, cultural values, and philosophical concepts through imagery and metaphor, creating layers of interpretation for readers. Unlike the objective correlative, which relies on a specific set of objects or situations to evoke an emotion, symbolism is more flexible and subjective, allowing multiple interpretations dependent on the reader's perspective.
Understanding Objective Correlative
Objective Correlative is a literary device that conveys emotions through a specific set of objects, situations, or events symbolizing the intended feeling, allowing readers to experience emotions indirectly. Unlike general symbolism, which uses symbols more broadly for various abstract ideas, Objective Correlative requires a precise and concrete arrangement that triggers a consistent emotional response. T.S. Eliot popularized this concept to bridge the gap between the writer's internal feelings and the reader's emotional understanding through external, sensory representations.
Historical Origins of Both Concepts
Symbolism emerged in the late 19th century as a literary movement emphasizing indirect representation through metaphors and allegories to evoke emotions and ideas. The Objective Correlative, coined by T.S. Eliot in the early 20th century, refers to a set of objects, situations, or events designed to evoke a specific emotion in the reader, grounding abstract feelings in concrete imagery. Both concepts originated during periods of literary experimentation, reflecting evolving approaches to expressing complex psychological and emotional states in art and literature.
Key Differences Between Symbolism and Objective Correlative
Symbolism employs symbols to represent ideas or qualities by giving objects or actions deeper meanings beyond their literal sense. Objective Correlative, a concept popularized by T.S. Eliot, uses a specific set of objects, situations, or events to evoke a particular emotion in the audience without direct exposition. The key difference lies in symbolism's broader, interpretive use of symbols versus the Objective Correlative's precise alignment of external elements designed to elicit an exact emotional response.
Major Advocates: Symbolists vs. T.S. Eliot
Symbolism, championed by French poets like Charles Baudelaire and Stephane Mallarme, emphasizes indirect representation through symbols to evoke emotions and ideas, creating a personal, often mystical resonance. T.S. Eliot, an advocate for the objective correlative, argued for a literary technique that employs a set of objects, situations, or events to evoke a specific emotion in the reader, ensuring clarity and universality in emotional expression. This contrast highlights Symbolism's embrace of ambiguity and subjective experience versus Eliot's call for precise emotional triggers rooted in external reality.
Literary Examples of Symbolism
Symbolism in literature employs objects, characters, or events to represent deeper meanings beyond the literal, such as the green light in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" symbolizing hope and the American Dream. In contrast, the objective correlative is a technique defined by T.S. Eliot that uses a set of objects or situations to evoke a particular emotion, rather than abstract symbolism alone. Classic examples of symbolism include the white whale in Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick," embodying obsession and the unknowable, and the conch shell in William Golding's "Lord of the Flies," representing order and civilization.
Literary Examples of Objective Correlative
Objective Correlative, a term popularized by T.S. Eliot, refers to a set of objects, situations, or events that evoke a particular emotion in the audience. In literature, Shakespeare's use of the storm in "King Lear" externalizes the protagonist's inner turmoil, serving as a classic example of Objective Correlative. Similarly, Eliot's own poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" employs recurring images of a yellow fog and evening to symbolize the protagonist's anxiety and indecision through concrete visual elements.
Impact on Reader Interpretation
Symbolism creates layered meanings by connecting specific symbols to broader abstract ideas, enriching reader interpretation through personal associations and emotional resonance. Objective Correlative employs a set of objects, situations, or events that consistently evoke a particular emotion, providing readers with a concrete framework to understand the author's intended feelings. The impact on reader interpretation differs as Symbolism invites subjective analysis while Objective Correlative directs readers toward a more unified emotional response.
Contemporary Relevance in Modern Writing
Symbolism and the objective correlative both serve as powerful tools in contemporary writing to evoke deeper emotional resonance and thematic complexity. While symbolism allows writers to embed layered meanings through objects, colors, or motifs, the objective correlative provides a precise external representation that consistently triggers specific emotions in readers. Modern authors increasingly blend these techniques to create nuanced narratives that engage audiences on both intellectual and emotional levels.
Symbolism Infographic
