English102. Conventional Symbols in Literature

Conventional and Literary Symbols
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The use of conventional and literary symbols in literature entails using objects to depict a different, deeper meaning in a story. Whereas conventional symbols are universally agreed upon to represent specific ideas, literary symbols largely depend on the context in defining the meaning they hold. For instance, a rose is a conventional symbol that is famously known to represent beauty and romance. ‘Night’ on the other hand is universally known to symbolize darkness or grief. However, depending on the context, the word ‘night’ may mean a state of loneliness or emptiness. Therefore, conventional symbols hold a universally pre-determined meaning while literary symbols largely depend on the context in establishing writers intentions.
In ‘The Story of an Hour, Kate Chopin presents a literary symbol when she uses the phrase, ‘Heart Troubles’...