Symbolization

We does it all the time. Try not to be obvious about it

Characters facing an uncertain future might look at a range of mountains that they have to cross and see it as more ominous and difficult than it really is. People (characters) are more likely to take special notice things that symbolize their fears or desires.

DwayneA said:

Do authors use such symbolization in their works?

For example, I could use a sunset to represent an end and a sunrise as a new beginning.

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You could certainly use the above, but then you would be travelling down an all-too familiar pathway.

These are cliches.

Read with a critical eye, and, depending on the writer's style, you will likely see many instances of figurative language.

In my story coming out in Analog next week, I use a mountain range called the Dominator's Teeth to help link the concepts of height and cold and lack of mercy - which are critical to the culture and plot developments in the story.

To me, the best symbolism is so subtle it seems almost subliminal--where I really appreciate a phrase, passage, or scene but I can't quite put my finger on why. Or, I realize why but only on a second read or third read. Sometimes symbolism is developed over the course of a story as a pattern that eventually dawns on the astute reader.

Sure, Kouta Hirano(mangaka) gives alot of symbolism in his Hellsing series, if you're looking.
Example, last chapter in the series, we have a woman feeding a vampire blood from her ring finger while she stands and he lays on the floor. Their posture would indicate a master/servant relationship. However, the feeding from the ring finger can, if you like, symbolise a romance, which there are other hints at throughout the series. Finally, at the same time, they are adressing each other by 'Count,' and 'Countess.' Which implies an equal relationship. So if you like, the final analogy could be a give/take romantic relationship. I think Kouta Hirano just likes to mess with his readers heads
Of course at first glance, I doubt most people are gonna be that inspective towards the scene, I certainly wasn't, I had it explained to me. Of course, part of it is instinctual.

Fiction is full of symbolism. My writing uses eggs as symbols of fertility and potential, feathered dragons as symbols of the magical side of human existence, various totem animals as symbols of different personality types. Shapeshifting occurs in my stories a lot and one could probably argue that it is a symbol for being an actor, influencing others by controlling the image one projects. On the other hand shapeshifting is a complex symbol and can also stand for adaptability/creative problem solving, or an ambiguous/androgynous nature that doesn't fit standard categories, or secrets/deception/fear of others knowing too much about oneself.

Yes.

Matera the Mad said:

We does it all the time. Try not to be obvious about it

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NeuroFizz said:

To me, the best symbolism is so subtle it seems almost subliminal--where I really appreciate a phrase, passage, or scene but I can't quite put my finger on why.

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I agree with that! Don't beat the reader about the head with your metaphor. Let them realise the symbolic connotations themselves. That way, you get your point across and they get to feel all clever and intelligent. Everybody's a winner

I'm surprised this is being asked.

I'm loving these answers .

I use a ton of symbolism because my WIP is Magical Realism. In general, though, I don't like it when symbolism is too obvious/cliched. It's also bit too artsy to me when some authors have huge symbolism that is a mystery - it doesn't hold up in real life, so to speak [excepting heavy MR]. I just read a book that keeps repeating a strange movement after different plot points [you'd have to read it]. That's a bit heavy-handed, imho.

Practically speaking, a thriller needs less symbolism than MR, you know? But it's fun in any work when picking colors folks are wearing, etc, to remember any Buddhism you might have studied if the shirt is saffron IMHO, of course.