Symbolism

                 Symbolism

        The word ‘symbolism’ is derived from the Greek  word ‘symballein’  which means “to throw together”, “mark”, “emblem”, “token” or “sign”. The verb symbol is an object which can be ‘animate’ or ‘inanimate’ symbol represent or stand for something different.

        The definitive manifesto of symbolism was published in September 1886 in an articles “le Figaro” written by Jean Moreas. He founded the symbolist school whose member were Baudelaire , Mallarme , Verlaine , etc other famous followers include Rome Ghil , Griffith and Gustave Khan. According to M.H.Abrams,

“In the usage of literary historian, symbolist movement  designates specifically a group of French writers beginning with Charles Baudelaire”

 Now there  might question that what can be effective an universal symbols in literary writing. To answer the question critic J.A.Cudden suggest that any object and action can be symbol writing.

EX.

     In literature there are many objects commonly used as symbols by writers. E.g.

1)           Scale-symbol of justice

2)           Monarchy-symbol of rule

3)           A dove- symbol of peace

4)           A goat- symbol of lust

5)           The lion -  symbol of strength and courage

7)           The lily – symbol of purity

8)           Cross- symbol of Christianity

9)           The swastika- symbol of Nazi in German

10)    Blood – symbol of violence

        As critic J.A.Cudden rightly quote that:

   “ Action and gesture are also symbolic”

e.g,..

* the clenched fist is symbol of aggression and anger

* beating of breast signifies remorse and pain

* arms raised denotes surrender

* hands closed suggests prayer or request

        While talking about symbols in literature critic. J.A.Cudden says:

“ A literary symbol combines an image with a concept. It may be public or private , universal or local”

         Public and universal symbol are almost similar to one another they are known everywhere . e.g. dove and peace , red rose and love etc,…….. the history of English literature , the master of using public symbol are Virgil , Dante , James Joyce,……

          While private symbols are limited to particular class , community state or country. Some literary works know for symbolism. Dante is master of using various symbols in effective way.

E.g.    “Divina Commedia”        - this work is structurely  symbolic in the history of English literature.

         “ Macbeth”

         “King Lear”

         “Hamlet”

  In “Macbeth”, there is  recurrence of blood which  symbolizes guilt and violence. While in ‘Hamlet’ weeds and diseases symbolize corruption and decay. Finally in ‘king Lear’ clothes symbolize appearance and authority.

   “Rime of the ancient mariner”

      Here in this book the shooting of the bird albatross is symbol of sin and luck of respect for natural order.

      “ The Waste land”

    “Ash Wednesday”

-       T.S.Eliot

 “ Metamorphosis”

-       Franz Kafka

   All these works are full of private symbol which naturally evoke the interest and brighten the story. Finally there was much use of symbolism in French poetry during 19^th century. Poets like Baudelaire and Mallarme rave highly developed symbolism through their believed that the poet is a kind of seer. So that the duty of poet is to see through and beyond the real world. They believed that the poet has to create “other world” by suggestion and symbolism. Some of the major symbolist poems are as below.

           “Correspondence”

      “sleen”

-       Baudelaire

   All these French poets have highly influence the next generation of poet in French and as well as outside of France. The main “heirs” of symbolist movement outside French are W.B.Yeats , Ezra pound, t.s.eliot,r.m.rike etc,….