Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam

How can a writer use symbols to represent larger ideas in literature?

1. By describing events that become symbolic within the plot.

2. By using concrete objects to represent abstract concepts.

3. By creating structures that represent complex themes.

4. By making connections between important characters.

The correct answer is: By using concrete objects to represent abstract concepts.

A symbol is typically something concrete--a thing, a place, a character--that represents something abstract--a feeling, an idea, a concept. In literature, writers often use symbols to convey larger themes or ideas to readers. By using concrete objects, like a rose or a bird, to represent abstract concepts like love or freedom, writers can add depth and deeper meaning to their work. Options A, C, and D do not accurately describe the use of symbols in literature. While events, structures, and connections between characters can sometimes be symbolic, they are not the primary way that symbols are used to represent larger ideas in literature.