Key Symbols to Know for AP English Literature

Symbolism in literature adds depth and meaning, allowing readers to connect with themes and emotions. From colors and animals to weather and objects, symbols enrich storytelling, making it essential for understanding characters and their journeys in AP English Literature.

1. Colors and their symbolic meanings

   • Red often symbolizes passion, love, or anger.
   • Blue can represent calmness, sadness, or stability.
   • Green is frequently associated with nature, growth, and renewal.
   • Yellow typically signifies happiness, optimism, or caution.
   • Black may symbolize death, mystery, or power.

2. Animals as symbols

   • The lion often represents courage, strength, and leadership.
   • The owl is commonly associated with wisdom and knowledge.
   • Snakes can symbolize danger, temptation, or transformation.
   • Doves are frequently seen as symbols of peace and purity.
   • Wolves may represent loyalty, family, and instinct.

3. Weather and natural phenomena

   • Storms can symbolize turmoil, conflict, or emotional upheaval.
   • Rain often represents cleansing, renewal, or sadness.
   • Sunshine typically symbolizes happiness, hope, and positivity.
   • Fog may signify confusion, uncertainty, or mystery.
   • Snow can represent purity, tranquility, or isolation.

4. Objects and their symbolic significance

   • A mirror often symbolizes self-reflection or truth.
   • Keys can represent access, freedom, or knowledge.
   • Chains may symbolize oppression, restriction, or bondage.
   • A clock often signifies the passage of time or mortality.
   • A book can represent knowledge, wisdom, or the journey of life.

5. Religious and mythological symbols

   • The cross is a symbol of sacrifice, faith, and redemption in Christianity.
   • The lotus flower represents purity and spiritual awakening in Buddhism.
   • The yin-yang symbolizes balance and duality in Taoism.
   • The ankh represents life and immortality in ancient Egyptian culture.
   • The phoenix symbolizes rebirth and renewal in various mythologies.

6. Numbers and their symbolic associations

   • The number one often symbolizes unity or beginnings.
   • The number three can represent harmony, wisdom, or the divine.
   • The number seven is frequently associated with luck or spiritual awakening.
   • The number twelve often signifies completeness or order.
   • The number thirteen may symbolize chaos or bad luck in some cultures.

7. Light and darkness symbolism

   • Light often symbolizes knowledge, truth, and hope.
   • Darkness can represent ignorance, evil, or despair.
   • The interplay of light and shadow may signify the complexity of human nature.
   • Dawn symbolizes new beginnings and opportunities.
   • Dusk can represent endings, reflection, or transition.

8. Water and its various symbolic interpretations

   • Water often symbolizes life, fertility, and renewal.
   • Rivers can represent the journey of life or the passage of time.
   • Oceans may symbolize the unconscious mind or vastness of emotions.
   • Rain can signify cleansing, rebirth, or sorrow.
   • Ice may represent stagnation, coldness, or preservation.

9. Journey as a symbol of personal growth

   • The journey often represents self-discovery and transformation.
   • Obstacles encountered symbolize challenges and resilience.
   • Companions on the journey can represent support and relationships.
   • The destination may symbolize goals, aspirations, or enlightenment.
   • The journey itself can reflect the complexities of life experiences.

10. Seasons and their symbolic representations

    • Spring symbolizes rebirth, renewal, and new beginnings.
    • Summer often represents growth, vitality, and abundance.
    • Autumn can signify change, maturity, and reflection.
    • Winter typically symbolizes death, rest, or introspection.
    • The cyclical nature of seasons reflects the passage of time and life cycles.

11. Archetypes and their symbolic meanings

    • The hero represents courage, determination, and the quest for identity.
    • The mentor symbolizes wisdom, guidance, and support.
    • The trickster often embodies chaos, change, and the challenge of norms.
    • The shadow represents the darker aspects of the self or society.
    • The mother figure symbolizes nurturing, care, and unconditional love.

12. Dreams and visions as symbols

    • Dreams often symbolize subconscious thoughts, desires, or fears.
    • Nightmares can represent unresolved conflicts or anxieties.
    • Prophetic dreams may symbolize foresight or intuition.
    • Recurring dreams often signify unresolved issues or themes in life.
    • Lucid dreams can represent self-awareness and control over one's life.

13. Flowers and plants as symbols

    • Roses often symbolize love, beauty, and passion.
    • Lilies can represent purity, innocence, or renewal.
    • Daisies may symbolize innocence, simplicity, and new beginnings.
    • Oak trees often symbolize strength, endurance, and stability.
    • Vines can represent growth, connection, and entanglement.

14. The use of names as symbols

    • Names can carry historical or cultural significance, reflecting identity.
    • Character names may symbolize traits or foreshadow their roles.
    • Place names can evoke specific emotions or themes related to the setting.
    • Symbolic names may hint at deeper meanings or character arcs.
    • The choice of names can reflect the author's intent and thematic focus.

15. Symbolic settings and landscapes

    • Urban settings may symbolize modernity, chaos, or alienation.
    • Rural landscapes often represent simplicity, tradition, or connection to nature.
    • Desolate environments can symbolize isolation, despair, or loss.
    • Natural settings may evoke themes of beauty, tranquility, or danger.
    • Specific locations can serve as metaphors for character development or thematic exploration.