English Research Assignment: Symbolism, Interpretation, and Literature

This research paper, titled "The Importance of Symbolism in Literature," explores the significance of symbols in enhancing the quality and depth of literary works. The paper delves into the purpose of the research, which is to develop a comprehensive understanding of symbolism, its impact on reader perception, and any associated controversies. It examines how symbols, such as those found in Shakespeare's Macbeth and Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, create deeper meanings and trigger cognitive responses in readers. The research also discusses the potential for misinterpretation due to differences in reader perspectives and the importance of careful symbol selection. The thesis statement focuses on evaluating the dichotomy and relevance of symbolism through the analysis of various literary pieces, supported by references to scholarly articles on the subject. The paper highlights that symbolism works as a prelude to events, impacting the understanding of the reader, and it also discusses the controversy surrounding misinterpretations.

Running head: ENGLISH RESEARCH
ENGLISH RESEARCH
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Topic: The importance of symbolism in literature
1.Purpose of the research proposal
The purpose of undertaking the research is to develop cognition on the importance of
symbolism in literature. It has been noted that the use of symbols for identifying certain qualities,
ideas and thoughts in literature while appealing to the minds of the readers. However, there are
certain controversial elements while using symbolism in literature that might affect the rate of
perception among the readers. Godbey (2016) opined that symbolism improves the quality of a
fictional piece which specifically relies on the perception of the reader. The purpose of
undertaking the research is to develop cognition on the controversy of the use of symbols in
literature based on their interpretation to the common readers. It has been noted that the use of
symbolism in literature acts as a phenomenon of creating a deeper meaning out of a scene. In this
relation, the research will take the initiative of identifying the aspects of symbolism and its usage
in different literatures. The research will also identify the controversy of using symbolic
elements in literature.
2.Description:
Section 1: Topic
The research is based on identifying the significance of symbols in literature. The concept
of symbolism is based on enhancing the quality of the fiction through the utilization of
picturesque or allegorical descriptions. According to Hadi (2018), the use of symbols induces
depth and triggers the cognitive elements in the mind of the readers. On the other hand,
Dougherty (2019) argued that the use of symbols, that are not centered on the idea, of the fiction
might create misinterpretations among the readers. It has been noted that the differences in the
perspectives of the readers might be one of the restricting factors for the effective cognition of

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the symbol that is used in a literary piece. Therefore, the research would explore the manner in
which careful selection of symbols in the literatures is necessary for influencing the minds of the
readers.
Section 2: The controversy
The use of symbols in a literature might be defined as a prelude to an impending
situation. Therefore, the use of symbolism in literature work as a procrastination to the events
while making the readers aware of the impending situation. An example of symbolism in
literature might be referred back to Shakespeare’s Macbeth (Act 2, scene 1) where Macbeth
hallucinates a dagger which makes the audience aware of the impending gory scene of Duncan’s
murder (Tassi, 2018). There has been a controversy as to whether the dagger was real or if it was
a hallucination of guilt that Macbeth carried all through. The perception of the symbol, among
the audience, as an “inverted cross” or a “dagger” was left to the perception of the audience.
Therefore, it might be noted that the differences in cognition might create misinterpretation in
the minds of the audience or the readers.
Reagan (2016) opined that symbols specifically deals with the greater understanding of
the context of a literature while deriving values grounded on the perception and cognition of the
readers. On the other hand, in S.T. Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner the description
of albatross as a giant bird depicted deeper meaning of sin and guilt which overburdened the
mind of the protagonist (Valentine, 2019). In this relation, the use of symbol in the context might
mislead the cognition of the audience as per their general psychology. Some of the audience
might take the giant bird literally while others with in-depth understanding of metaphor might
identify the underlying meaning that Coleridge tried to depict through the incoherent sequence.

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Therefore, it might be noted that the use of symbols in literature is specifically related to
the precision of use, the contextual element and the cognition capability of the audience. It has
been noted that presentation of a symbol in literature enables in improving the quality of the
fiction through in- depth procrastination of the activities. Again, the misinterpretation of the
absurdist symbols in the literature might taint the quality of the fiction while minimizing
perception among the audience.
Section 3: Thesis statement
The research will evaluate the dichotomy and relevance of symbolism in literature through
assessment of different literary pieces.

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References
Dougherty, J. P. (2019). Realism, Naturalism, and Symbolism: Modes of Thought and
Expression in Europe, 1848-1914. The Review of Metaphysics, 73(2), 383-384.
Godbey, M. J. (2016). New Edition: Symons and Symbolism. English Literature in Transition,
1880-1920, 59(1), 108-111.
Hadi, A. (2018). Importance of Symbolism in Visual Art: A Critical Analysis in Contemporary
Scenario. The Achievers Journal: Journal of English Language, Literature and
Culture, 4(3), 31-36.
Reagan, P. E. (2016). Deconstructing Paradise: Inverted Religious Symbolism in Twentieth-
century Latin American Literature. Rowman & Littlefield.
Tassi, M. A. (2018). Rapture and Horror: A Phenomenology of Theatrical Invisibility in
Macbeth: The South-Central Renaissance Conference 2017 William B. Hunter
Lecture. Explorations in Renaissance Culture, 44(1), 1-26.
Valentine, T. (2019). Coleridge as the Mariner—Disconnection and Redemption in Comparing
‘Dejection: An Ode’and ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’.

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