144 Symbolism Essay Topics

🏆 Best Essay Topics on Symbolism

1. The Dead – James Joyce: Themes, Symbolism, and Title Significance
2. Symbolism in “Araby” Short Story by James Joyce
3. Clothing as Class Symbolism in The Great Gatsby: Colors and Deceit
4. Symbolism in Wuthering Heights
5. Symbolism in “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
6. Symbolism in “A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings” by Marquez
7. Symbolism of Raymond Carver’s “The Bath” Story

🔎 Easy Symbolism Research Paper Topics

1. Symbolism in Tolstoy’s “The Death of Ivan Ilych”

   In The Death of Ivan Ilych, the author Leo Tolstoy uses a variety of symbols to amplify Ivan Ilych’s life, to capture death, materialism, corruption, greed, and illness.
2. Symbolism, Setting, Irony in Hemingway’s ”Hills Like White Elephants”

   In “Hills Like White Elephants,” Hemingway utilizes symbolism, setting, and irony to help readers connect with the themes and characters in the story.
3. Symbolism of Christmas Spirits in “A Christmas Carol”

   “A Christmas Carol” renders the theme of fate, which is reflected in the three Spirits of Christmas, they symbolize Scrooge’s life in the past, present, and future.
4. Symbolism in Walt Whitman’s Poem Crossing Brooklyn Ferry

   In the poem, Crossing Brooklyn Ferry by Walt Whitman, the poet describes his crisscrossing journey back and forth Brooklyn via a ferry.
5. Symbolism in The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin

   Spring is the period of the year that is chosen by Chopin for The Story of an Hour, which symbolizes the beginning of a new life.
6. Power and Race Symbolism in Coetzee’s “Disgrace”

   In Disgrace, symbolism is used as a thematic element to demonstrate principles of power and race while providing commentary about the socio-political strife in South Africa
7. Symbolism in “The Road Not Taken” by Frost

   This paper finds and describes unique symbols running through Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” and tries to interpret their unique and sacred meaning.
8. Symbolism in “A Jury of Her Peers” Short Story by Susan Glaspell

   One of the landmark stories on the problem of social injustice suffered by women, Susan Glaspell’s “A Jury of Her Peers” introduces a unique yet relatable perspective on the issue.
9. Symbolism in “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde” by Stevenson

   Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, represents one of the examples of literature focused on exploring the duality of human nature.
10. Symbolism in Herman Melville’s “Bartleby the Scrivener”

    The story “Bartleby the Scrivener” is rather symbolic as the very street (Wall Street), Bartleby’s cabinet and his previous job are the symbols which show the life of New York in 1850s
11. The Canterbury Tales Costumes as Symbols

    How did Chaucer criticize the church The Canterbury Tales? What characters do reflect this criticism? Check this essay to find out.
12. Robinson Crusoe’s Symbolism and Footprint

    D. Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe is a relatively straightforward novel not full of symbolism. But those few symbols are significant, multifaceted, and can be interpreted differently.
13. Symbolism in “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin

    Symbols in “Sonny’s Blues” frequently conflict: for instance, ice symbolizes fear and dread juxtaposed against the music, which provides warmth and an escape to Sonny.
14. Symbolism and Character Motivation in Glaspell’s “Trifles”

    “Trifles” is a short play composed by Susan Glaspell, which revolves around the killing of John Wright and the murder apprehension of his wife, Mrs. Minnie Wright.
15. The Symbolism of the Bechdel’s Family Home in Fun Home

    Bechdel’s family home has a symbolic meaning in tragicomedy. It is expressed through different aspects of this symbol, which represent the characteristics of Alison’s father.
16. Symbolism in “Disgrace” by John Coetzee

    The Novel, Disgrace, revolves around David Lurie, a University lecturer who faces one disgrace after another. Disgrace follows David wherever he goes throughout the novel.
17. Symbolism and Social Issues in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter”

    “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is an excellent piece of literature enabling to examine the way symbolism may be applied in order to reveal the most appealing ideas.
18. Symbolism in The Great Gatsby

    In The Great Gatsby there are several symbols but the most powerful appears to be the eyes that overlook the valley from a bill board.
19. Symbolism in the “Ghost” Story by Jason Reynolds

    The story “Ghost” by Jason Reynolds tells the story of a boy named Castle who grows up in difficult times for him.
20. The Use of Symbolism in John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men”

    The purpose of this paper is to analyze the symbolic meanings behind the main characters of John Steinbeck’s novella “Of Mice and Men”.
21. Symbolism Used by Hawthorn to Support the Theme of “Young Goodman Brown”

    In “Young Goodman Brown,” Hawthorn uses symbols such as forest, Faith, and the color pink to support the theme of his short story.
22. The Symbolism of the Cage in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Film and Novel

    The cage symbol has tremendous value for creating Breakfast characters at Tiffany’s feelings; however, the peculiarities of the film and the novel revealed it differently.
23. Symbolism in “The Story of an Hour”

    The paper defines a symbol from “The Story of an Hour” this symbol connects the above logo to the tone and style of this story.
24. Blood Symbolism in “Macbeth” by Shakespeare

    The blood acts as a sign of guilt and murder, which Shakespeare employs to illustrate the personalities of Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth.
25. Nathaniel Hawthorne: Symbolism in Short Stories

    The presence of the symbol of the Devil in different characters suggests the idea of the sinful nature of a human being and the power of evil in the world.
26. Symbolism in Steinbeck’s Story “The Chrysanthemums”

    Steinbeck uses number of literary devises in his story The Chrysanthemums and the rich usage of symbolism is marked first.
27. Symbolism in “The Carpenter’s Gift” by Rubel

    In the book “The Carpenter’s Gift” by Rubel, the author expresses the idea that kind actions do not go unnoticed and make the world better.
28. “Oedipus Rex” Play: Eyes as Symbolism

    This essay will examine the importance of imagery in “Oedipus Rex”, reveals how eyes act as symbolism and foreshadowing, and how it affects the storyline’s development.

🎓 Interesting Symbolism Essay Topics

1. “The Red Convertible” by Louise Erdrich: Symbolism

   As the title shows, “The Red Convertible” is the main fulcrum of the story and the entire plot is built around it. It is used as a symbol of happiness with its color ‘red’ denoting passion and life.
2. Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery: Imagery, Foreshadowing, & Symbolism

   Shirley Jackson’s employment of detailed imagery, foreshadowing, and symbolism has contributed significantly to the masterful nature of “The Lottery.”
3. Symbolism in Disney’s Movie “Encanto”

   One of those movies that people will remember ten years from now is Encanto. The movie has flawless execution, and many people may relate to its topic.
4. Symbolism in the “Queen of the South” Series

   The present paper aims at discussing symbolism in “Queen of the South”, an original Netflix series. In particular, two central symbols – the Santa Muerte and crows.
5. Symbolism in Dickinson’s Poem “Dew’Is the Freshet in the Grass”

   Symbolism is the main literary device that Dickinson uses in the poem “Dew’is the Freshet in the Grass” to reveal the subtext and key message to the reader.
6. Symbolism in Everyday Life, Culture, and Literature

   This essay presents the use of symbolism in two literary works, “A&P” and “The Hunger Artist,” and how this literary mechanism contributes to the development of the overall themes.
7. Symbolism in O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night

   In Eugene O’Neill’s play “Long Day’s Journey into Night”, the playwright presents the inner workings of a dysfunctional family long before the term dysfunctional became a buzzword of American psychology.
8. Symbolism in “A Farewell to Arms” by Ernest Hemingway

   The main characters in the novel “A Farewell to Arms” by Ernest Hemingway, who are Catherine and Frederic Henry, do not seem to have power over their lives in the course of the war.
9. Symbolism in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare

   Macbeth is a symbol that any society should try to avoid. It signifies that if life is lead by ambition that would not be stopped by anything regardless of this hostility the world will be in danger.
10. Robert Browning: Analysis of Author’s Style, Works’ Themes, and the Symbolism

    In his works, Robert Browning explores such issues as the position of women in the family and society; he stresses the importance of equity and unity.
11. Sherman Alexie’s “What You Pawn I Will Redeem”: A Critical Analysis of Themes and Symbolism

    In his work “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” Sherman Alexie tells the readers a story of a young Indian man who treats his ancestors with respect.
12. Symbolism of O’Connor’s “A Good Man Is Hard to Find”

    Images and symbols in “A Good Man is Hard to Find” demonstrate a story that aims to show the possibility of each person changing by means of grace.
13. Symbolism of Canopic Jars in Ancient Egypt

    The symbolism of the canopic jars inherent in the images of the gods, their associations with human organs, and their purpose in the afterlife represents a big field for research.
14. Symbolism in The Things They Carried

    The Things They Carried is not all about the material things that soldiers have to carry in their bags to ensure nutrition, water supply, and safety in battlefield.
15. Symbolism in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

    In Arthur Miller’s Death of A Salesman, the sub-surface ideals of the American Dream are investigated and a very close ruinous look is the outcome.
16. Robert Frost’s Symbolism: Philosophical Issues in Poetry

    Touching upon various ethical and religious issues, contemporary authors define the concepts of physical versus spiritual life and transcendence.
17. Symbolism in Toni Morrison’s “Sula”

    This paper includes a brief analysis of the meaning behind Sula’s life and her impact on the community, conveyed with the help of a rose as its symbolic representation.
18. Symbolism in “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” Poem by Coleridge

    In Coleridge’s poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” the story begins with a young man getting stopped by an old Mariner on his way to a wedding with two of his friends.
19. Symbolism in A Doll’s House

    A Doll’s House is one of the many plays written by a Norwegian playwright and theatre director Henrik Johan Ibsen. Now Ibsen is often referred to as one of the most influential writers of his time and even as “a father of realism”. In this work, the plot revolves around…
20. Symbolism in Petals on the Wind by V. C. Andrews

    Petals on the Wind, the second novel of V. C. Andrews’s trilogy, dwells on the life of Chris, Cathy, and Carrie after they manage to escape the attic and move to Florida.
21. “O Captain! My Captain!”: Symbolism, Imagery, and the American Dream

    The famous “O Captain! My Captain!” written by Walt Whitman is a short literary work encompassing several complex topics important to each American.
22. Symbolism in “Young Goodman Brown” by Hawthorne

    This paper examines how Hawthorne uses symbolism in “Young Goodman Brown” and how much he criticizes the Puritan church for its hypocrisy and perversion of faith.
23. “Love in the Time of Cholera” vs “Theme of the Traitor and the Hero”: Context and Symbolism

    In both books, both writers present an awesome twist of love being depicted not only by these characters but also other supporting ones.
24. Symbolism and Racism in Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”

    In the book “To Kill a Mockingbird,” symbolism has been used as the vessel by which racism is expressed indirectly, so readers explore the meaning behind such symbols.
25. Symbolism in Coetzee’s “Disgrace”

    This paper discusses Coetzee’s book Disgrace that uses symbolism to make the description of the protagonist’s worldview and his actions more vivid.
26. Symbolism in Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar

    Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar is a novel about a young writer herself. It reflects multiple life events: her suffering, mental breakdown, and the attempt to fix her with glue.
27. Symbolism in Literature: “The Raven”, “Young Goodman Brown”

    This paper discusses how the authors use symbolism to create a certain subtext for the reader in “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe and “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
28. Symbolism in “Dante’s Inferno”

    Inferno is a symbolic work where everything remains in as an image for something different. The journey through Hell is the fundamental part of the poem’s symbolism.
29. Symbolism of the Cage in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” by Truman Capote

    1958 in Truman Capote’s work was marked by the publication of the novel Breakfast at Tiffany’s, in which he described the world of Holiday Golightly.
30. Symbolism in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick: Or, the White Whale

    Symbolism in the novel Moby Dick: Or, the White Whale by Herman Melville will be considered from the perspective of the ideas and the subtexts utilized to reflect the key messages.

👍 Good Symbolism Research Topics & Essay Examples

1. Symbolism of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”

   A feature of “Sir Gawain…” is that the meaning of some symbols is revealed in the course of the story, while the sense of others is ambiguous even with in-depth analysis.
2. Symbolism in The Lottery Story by Shirley Jackson

   The Lottery was written by Shirley Jackson in 1948 and contains many notable themes. The Lottery might be perceived as a short story that contains a considerable number of symbols.
3. The Hidden Symbolism in Picasso’s Guernica

   Pablo Picasso’s Guernica is one of his most famous paintings. It was finished in 1937 and is painted with oil on a canvas.
4. Symbolism in Irving’s “Rip Van Winkle” Short Story

   “Rip Van Winkle” is a symbolic story. Washington Irving used a fictional event to portray the difference between the same places of America before and during the Revolutionary War.
5. Christian Symbolism and Imagery in “The Matrix” Film

   The Matrix film is a prediction of the negative effects of technology that can change us into mere creatures to be manipulated by the matrix system of the world.
6. Symbolism in Young Goodman Brown by N. Hawthorne

   To underscore the narrative’s symbolic themes, Hawthorne used objects and characters to accentuate biblical and Christian symbolism.
7. Symbolism in “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins

   The symbolism of the yellow wallpaper on the house walls, Gilman conveys the mental health state of the protagonist throughout “The Yellow Wallpaper.”
8. Symbolism and Irony in Sweat by Zora Neale Hurston

   Sweat is a short shorty written by Zora Neale Hurston. It centers around the marital conflict between a hardworking Christian washerwoman.
9. Symbolism in Poe’s “Masque of the Red Death”

   E. A. Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death is a horror story about Prince Prospero and his masquerade ball during the Red Death plague spreading. The disease symbolizes Tuberculosis.
10. “The Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne: Symbolism

    The creative activity of Hawthorne is heavily influenced by his background and the religious education that left the trace of guilt, doubt, and self-examination on his works .
11. Symbolism and Expression in “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne

    This story is considered to be deeply psychological and grabs readers’ attention by its symbolism and imaginative expression
12. Symbolism and Morality in Hawthorne’s ‘Young Goodman Brown’

    The maple stick, the pink ribbons, and Brown’s journey itself are the prominent symbols in “Young Goodman Brown”, which enhance the storyline.
13. Symbolism in Steinbeck’s The Chrysanthemums

    The book Chrysanthemums by John Ernst Steinbeck is full of symbolism. The most obvious and closest to the reader’s meaning of symbolism is the glorification of nature.
14. Meaning of Symbolism in the Film “Parasite”

    The paper discusses the film “Parasite”. The viewer follows the lives of individuals who choose to pursue employment opportunities from wealthy family.
15. Symbolism in “The Narrow Road to the Deep North”

    “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” recounts the tale of Basho’s actual excursion through Japan. It tells the account of better places in Japan.
16. Symbolism of Starry Night

    “The Starry Night” is one of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings. It can be seen as a reflection of Van Gogh’s inner world and the world around him.
17. Symbolism in “Death of a Salesman” Play by Arthur Miller

    The play “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller is a story of a salesman, Willy, who is trapped by his daydreams.
18. Impressionism and Symbolism in Music

    In Claude Debussy’s “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun”, the melody is played by the flute. The tempo is inconsistent, and it is hard to grasp the feel of the meter.
19. Symbolism of the “Bechdel Family” by Alison Bechdel

    In the book, the author, Alison Bechdel, narrates about her childhood and relationship with her father, and thereby transmits her memories of those days in a very specific form.
20. Symbolism in “The Egg” and “Bernice Bobs Her Hair”

    In the short stories, eggs have been used to represent the possibility of a better future, while hair is a symbol of womanhood and everything which is expected from a lady.
21. Allegory and Symbolism in “The Chrysanthemums” and “The Yellow Wallpaper”

    The story is based upon the life events and psychological issues the author herself faced. She is forced to abide by what her husband feels is best.
22. Symbolism in “The Chrysanthemums” by John Steinbeck

    Symbols are the types of stylistic devices that writers use in order to extend people’s perception of the story. Symbolism is a very frequently used way of text representation.
23. Color Symbolism in The Great Gatsby

    The novel Great Gatsby depicts the unique vision of the American dream and its impact on the life of a person during the 1920s.
24. The Symbolism of Blood in Barn Burning by William Faulkner

    Do you want to learn about the symbolism of blood in Barn Burning? Check the analysis of this symbol in the essay.
25. Symbolism in “Disgrace” by John Maxwell Coetzee

    In books, symbols make the story deeper and allow a reader to understand the author’s ideas better. This paper analyzes symbolism in Disgrace by John Maxwell Coetzee.
26. Victimization Image in the “Disgrace” by John Maxwell Coetzee

    The paper explored two sources of symbolism in the novel Disgrace: dogs and Lord Byron. The animals in the book represent instruments of oppression and a low socioeconomic status.
27. Symbolism of Masculinity in John Maxwell Coetzee’s “Disgrace”

    The issue of social isolation and ostracism has been explored extensively in literature, yet it shines through especially vividly in Coetzee’s award-winning Disgrace.
28. Dante’s Purgatorio Cantos: A Deep Dive Into Themes and Symbolism in The Divine Comedy

    This paper analyzes Dante’s Purgatorio by relating how various elements in the cantos that comprise the Terrace of a Sin function singularly or in combination.
29. Theory of Symbolism in a Reading of “A Rose For Emily” by William Faulkner and “The Symbol” by Virginia Woolf

    The brightest representatives of this style are considered to be Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, and Dorothy Richardson, who were followed by many others.

🌶️ Hot Symbolism Ideas to Write About

1. The Symbolism and Meaning of Jerusalem Compared to England’s History
2. Symbolism and Biblical Allusions in “The Kite Runner”
3. Understanding the Objectives and Symbolism of Baptism
4. Symbolism and Autobiographical Elements in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”
5. The Importance of Symbolism, Figurative Language, and Irony in Works
6. Symbolism and Destructive Attitudes in “Genus Narcissus”
7. Nature Settings: Symbolism and Shaping Perception
8. Symbolism: Byzantine Empire and Winston Churchill
9. Symbolism Behind Fear and Foresight
10. American Symbolism and Mythology
11. Nathaniel Hawthorne: Symbolism in Short Stories
12. Symbolism Behind the Names of the Female Characters in “The Great Gatsby” American Literature
13. The Relationship Between Character Symbolism and Chilean Society in Ariel Dorfman’s “Death and the Maiden”
14. Symbolism and Double Meaning in Hawthorne’s “Young Goodman Brown”
15. Redemption From Sin: Symbolism Creating Theme Within “The Scarlet Letter”
16. The Significance and Symbolism of Mondays in Marquez’ Novel
17. Symbolism and Literary Techniques in George Orwell’s
18. Powerful Symbols and Symbolism in “The Glass Menagerie”
19. Culturally Bound Practices: Jewish Symbolism
20. Pagan and Christian Symbolism in “Sir Gawain and the Green Night”
21. Comprehending Indian Images and Symbolism
22. Symbolism, Imagery, and Theme Compared Through the Stories “The Cask of Amontillado” and “The Scarlet Ibis”
23. Principles of How the Author Uses Symbology That Contributes to the Success of the Text
24. Symbolism, Themes, and Metaphors in “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville
25. “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”: Christian Symbolism

❓ Questions about Symbolism

1. How Does Symbolism Contribute to the Themes of 1984?
2. What Are the Main Types of Symbolism?
3. How Does Symbolism Influence Theatre?
4. What Is Symbolism and Why Is It Used?
5. How Do the Authors Use Contrasts and Symbolism to Convey the Central Ideas of the Novel?
6. Why Does Symbolism Important in the Novel?
7. How Does Walker Use Imagery and Symbolism?
8. What Was Symbolism Influenced By?
9. How Is Effective and Convincing Golding’s Use of Symbolism?
10. What Is the Difference Between Theme and Symbolism?
11. What Are the Characteristics of Symbolism?
12. How Did Symbolism Art Influence Debussy’s Music?
13. What Is the Importance of Symbolism in Everyday Life?
14. What Is the Structure of Symbolism?
15. How Did Woolf Use Symbolism to Write Good Fiction?
16. Is Symbolism Important in Culture?
17. What Details Support Faulkner’s Use of Symbolism in “A Rose for Emily”?
18. What Is the Purpose of a Symbol in Writing?
19. How Is Symbolism Used in “Frankenstein”?
20. What Is Symbolism as a Literary Device?
21. How Is Symbolism Formed?
22. What Is the Effect of Symbolism?
23. How Do You Identify Symbolism in a Text?
24. Is Symbolism Important in Art?
25. How Does Symbolism Add Depth to a Story?