Writing Tips

Symbolism and Extended Metaphors

Ahh, my favourite form of figurative language: ✨️Symbolism✨️

Symbolism and extended metaphors are fanTASTIC ways to add an extra layer or two to your story. It just adds a little extra spice and seasoning to it to make it even better, as long as you understand how to use it.

So, what exactly are symbolism and extended metaphors? Symbolism is when an object is given a second, more emotional or spiritual meaning. And extended metaphors are metaphors (which compares two things without comparative words such as like, as, than, or resembles) that last throughout a portion of or an entire story.

Let's talk about metaphors. Metaphors can be super easy to spot, or super difficult to spot. When you're given examples of metaphors in a language arts class, typically they're easier to spot than when you're reading an actual book with more complicated metaphors in them. Sometimes they're not as important to understand or even notice, sometimes you need to look deeper and find that hidden metaphor.

Metaphors can take all kinds of forms. They can be direct and directly compare two things, or they can be indirect and not mention the object or idea being compared. These are called standard metaphors and implied metaphors.

What about symbolism? Well, metaphors are symbolism, and extended metaphors are symbolism that carries on throughout the story.

For example, here's some of the casting of Romeo and Juliet from my book A Poppy By Any Other Name:

Romeo - Jimmy
Mercutio - Sausage
Benvolio - Grian
Lord Montague - Joel
Lady Montague - Lizzie
Juliet - Scott
Nurse - Pearl
Tybalt - fWhip (tried for Mercutio)
Paris - Zach

This casting was an indirect, extended metaphor throughout the entire story of APBAON. It compared the relationships of the characters in the story to the relationships of the characters in the play.

Joel and Lizzie got Lord and Lady Montague because they're family to Jimmy, who was Romeo, and Grian got Benvolio since he and Jimmy were very close friends. fWhip wanted to be Mercutio because fWhip was originally a close friend of Jimmy's but was given the role of Tybalt (who killed Mercutio) because he would, a bit later, no longer be close with Jimmy and Tybalt's killing of Mercutio symbolises fWhip ending the good relationship he had with Jimmy. Of course Zach was Paris because he was the unfriendly boyfriend to Scott, who was Juliet. And then Pearl was the nurse because she gave Scott advice about his relationship with Zach and she wanted him to be with Jimmy instead. And of course, Jimmy and Scott were Romeo and Juliet because they'd fallen in love with each other.

This one was harder for a lot of the audience to pick out because it's completely indirect and hidden within the story. And, typically, you wouldn't assume the casting of a play had that much to do with the story's plot.

But how do I use symbolism in my own story? Think of something significant to the characters in your story. Perhaps it's a necklace given to them by a loved one, or it's their favourite flower, or a god they worship, or something they're really interested in. Give it an even more special meaning to the character and figure out a way to incorporate it into the character's life and the whole story. Trust me, it makes a world of difference when you add a little symbolism.

I hope this helps!