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This story contains no sybolism. I dislike symbolism simply because I detest ambiguity. However, if this story were hypothetically rife with symbolism, perhaps "symbolism" would serve as a symbol for "plot". In some stories writers do an awful good job of creating symbols. In that case I find myself wondering why they don't just do away with the symbols and tell us what's on their minds. It's only one step away.
In this story, if "symbolism" were really symbolic for "plot" I would have just stopped at one line: "This story contains no plot". And that would be the end of it. The end of the story I mean. Obviously it wouldn't be the end of the symbolism, because there wasn't any to begin with. I assure you, if my entire story consisted of the line, "This story contains no plot," neither "story" nor "plot" would be symbolic for anything. Like I said, not only do I generally dislike symbolism, I particularily detest vague symbolism. So you can be sure I wouldn't do that to you.
However, now that I reflect on what I've said I realize that I've made a slight contradiction. First I said I "detest" symbolism and then I said that I "generally dislike symbolism". And seeing that I've surely made it clear that I "detest" ambiguity, I feel as though I'm obligated to clear this little misstep up. Actually I have a rocky relationship with symbolism. I don't like to use it, and I don't like to have to think about it while I'm reading a story. That is why this story contains no symbolism. On the otherhand, in order to be absolutely sure that the reader is aware there is no symbolism in this story I have to go out and say it. There's really no other way for the reader to be sure. Therefore symbolism is unavoidable.
Readers have a nasty habit of inferring symbolism where in fact none exists. I bet if I ended this story right now you'd still think that "symbolism" is a symbol for "plot". Even though I already said it wasn't; you can never trust your readers. For all I know they may have interpretted my denial of symbolism within this story as a symbol in itself. So I find myself in a bit of a conundrum. How can I make sure the reader understands that there is no symbolism within this story if the reader is free to take the sentence, "This story contains no symbolism," as a symbol in itself (thereby negating it's literal meaning)? I can't think of a way right now. Therefore I'm just going to end this story by saying, "This story contains no symbolism."
 
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Snet
United States3573 Posts
I got tired of reading the word symbol and symbolism by the second paragraph.
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On November 04 2009 13:46 Snet wrote:
I got tired of reading the word symbol and symbolism by the second paragraph.
You made it further than I did.
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Is it me but i think i missed the story. lots of symbolism , NO STORY 
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lol, if everyone just replies in the equivalence of tl;dr, this will be epic :D
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Symbolism is a way to express ideas that usually go beyond the scope of the original story. In many areas around whe world who discourage free htought, the only way to communicate thewe ideas is through subtest and symbolism.
That being said, I thin a whole literary industry has developed upon dragging out meaning from a Maya Angelou painting or a Michelangelo sculpture.
TLDR: Symbolism is fine, if it's not a substitute for real thought.
PS. I'm drunked, so plz forgive mistakes.
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I don't get the symbolism.
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Symbolism is linked to the 'show, don't tell' axiom of creative writing (and art in general.) Much of the point in relying on metaphors or similies instead of simply laying it all out plainly is to create an evocative work that brings to mind particular emotions and images to the reader, as well as forcing them to think and consider the work in retrospect rather than simply absorb it.
For example, if you're writing a story about a distopia, your goal is probably to showcase how bad the society is, and you want to frame it in a way your audience will understand- usually by contrasing the negative aspects of society against things they themselves would relate to. It is not enough to simply state 'This is a distopia, where human rights do not exist and people are suffering'; you must demonstrate it.
Using, say, faded posters of charity organisations or wilted and dying aspects of nature is likely an effective way of referring to the decay of society (rather than simply saying 'society is decaying'.)
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talking about symbolism is awkward
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in that case, you need to stop writing entirely because the written "words" are but symbols to represent concepts. And the words are formed by letters which are the building blocks. Symbolism in writing is but an artistic short hand used to convey extended concepts, easter eggs for those who are paying attention. If you cannot embrace symbolism, then perhaps you should stop writing all together. Actually, you should stop talking too, while you're at it. Since language is just another form of symbolism in a different medium. Instead of using visuals, you use sound to convey concepts instead.
So what you really need to do is to sit in a small room and think quietly to your self in silence. That way you can avoid the symbols you so hate.
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Baa?21244 Posts
27 occurrences of the string "symbol" - symbol or symbolism - in a 451 word block of text. Terrible, terrible damage.
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On November 04 2009 14:33 Railxp wrote:
in that case, you need to stop writing entirely because the written "words" are but symbols to represent concepts. And the words are formed by letters which are the building blocks. Symbolism in writing is but an artistic short hand used to convey extended concepts, easter eggs for those who are paying attention. If you cannot embrace symbolism, then perhaps you should stop writing all together. Actually, you should stop talking too, while you're at it. Since language is just another form of symbolism in a different medium. Instead of using visuals, you use sound to convey concepts instead.
So what you really need to do is to sit in a small room and think quietly to your self in silence. That way you can avoid the symbols you so hate.
lol
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On November 04 2009 13:54 majesty.k)seRapH wrote:
lol, if everyone just replies in the equivalence of tl;dr, this will be epic :D
What? There was an OP ?
+ Show Spoiler +Although he is right in a way, it´s just so awkward
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On November 04 2009 14:16 Equaoh wrote:
I don't get the symbolism.
I see what you did there
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Purely plot driven or explicit writing may get the author's point across better from a strictly rational, conscious point of view, but a lot of times the author tries to invoke more than his or her idea. The usage of symbolism is to invoke an emotional response so that when the reader is reading a particular passage, they will associate what is happening in that passage with a symbol that they already know and have emotional sentiments for.
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Now the question becomes: do I submit this to my Humanities prof?
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EPT
