Literature is the imaginative manipulation of perspective so that we can make sense of a world that is both familiar and foreign. It brings us into contact with that world by telling stories, dramatizing situations, expressing emotions, and analyzing or advocating ideas. Either in oral, written or visual form, literature challenges listeners, readers or viewers to identify, examine, question, learn and reconcile values most precious to our sense of self and culture.

                   Three reasons why we study literature are, first, it links us with a broader cultural, philosophic and religious world of which we are part; second, it stimulates our imagination and creativity; and last, it permits us to see the world with new eyes.

                   As we study literature, we learn to judge literary pieces by their merits. First by artistry, how the writer visualizes the totality of his work even before his writing or making it. Second by style, how the work of art is put together by means of individual talents and special skills. Third by spiritual value, the ability of the work to uplift or inspire the spirits of man. Fourth by intellectual value, the ability of the work to encourage critical thinking on the part of the listener, reader or viewer. Fifth by emotional value, the ability of the work to evoke strong feelings as the listener, reader or viewer identify themselves with the characters. Sixth by permanence, the ability of the work to be timely and to be timeless at the same time. Last by universality, the ability of the work to appeal to the general public.

                    There existed various literary movements and trends but that which appealed to me most is SYMBOLISM. I always believed that every literary piece is not confined to its conceptual and actual state. It would, even in a single way evolve into something which would be apt to individual judging abilities. Different interpretations are created, this therefore gave me the idea that every literary piece has a hidden truth, which we must search for. Once we find it, it would be a representation of something precious to us - it would be a symbol.

                    Symbolism, like Romanticism, favoured feelings over reason, but was more intellectual in its conception. It is a systematic or creative use of arbitrary symbols as abstracted representations of concepts or objects and the distinct relationships in between, as they define both context and the narrower definition of terms. It also refers to a way of choosing representative symbols in line with abstract rather than literal properties, allowing for the broader interpretation of a carried meaning, than more literal concept - representations allow.

                     Literary works usually project symbols known to people. They are conventional symbols which originated from popular references to culture and history. On the other hand, there are also unusual symbols which derive meaning from their context and the meaning they suggest. These leave us with our own interpretations since there are no known meanings to which we would refer for a fixed definition.

                     Unusual symbols have complex meanings. They do not have only 'literal meaning' but also 'additional meaning(s)' beyond the literal. Sometimes the literal meaning of a symbol is absurd, so that the symbolic meaning over-rides and cancels out the literal meaning. Literary symbols extend meaning beyond the prosaic representation of realities afforded by literal description, or extracted through analysis and exposition.

                     A symbol is a sign which has further layers of meaning. The more profound the symbol, the greater the complexity of the layers of its meaning. Symbols, therefore becomes a function of poetic language. They become images and shadows of higher ideas, and by their mysterious character inculcated a profounder veneration. They awaken intimations speech can only explain. They pluck all the strings of the human spirit at once; speech is compelled to take up a single thought at a time. It strikes its roots in the most secret depth of the soul which language skins over the surface of the understanding like a soft breeze. The symbols aim inward. Only they can combine the most desperate elements into a unitary impression. Symbols carry the spirit beyond the finite world of becoming into the realm of infinite being. It contains within itself a definite meaning certain intellectual formula that exists in order to be deciphered.

                     Symbols resemble a discursive philosophical treatise in so far as it splits the idea into a number of connected images and then leaves it to the audience to draw the ultimate inference. These could be explained in understanding by instinct for even "a hundred generations might write out the meaning for the one and they would write different meanings for no symbol tells you all its meanings to any generations."

                     In literature, ideas are symbolized and thus create a scenario that is more accessible to a larger number of people. In symbolically representing an idea, the concepts that would ordinarily be laden with theoretical jargon are made 'simple' for the average person who does not have background to approach the ideas within the narrative. Language is used, which gives the audience the incentive of enriching their imaginations since the concepts are presented.

                     Symbols, like music, are a language we hold in common. They transcend our cultural diffrences, they teach us much about our humanity and help us see connections. As we look below the surface of things, we experience life fully glimpsing the eternal meaning of times and events.

                     Symbols when meditated upon, can serve as a pathway for the mind from the level of concrete thought forwards, and even into, the abstract principle of primal truth which it represents...a symbol can prove to be a key, which when inserted into the 'door' of the formal mind, causes it to open and reveal those timeless truths which are ever hidden from the time-prisoned human consciousness.

                    What most distinguishes humans from other creatures is our ability to create and manipulate a wide variety of symbolic representations. This capacity enables us to transmit information from one generation to another making it culture possible, and to learn vast amounts without having direct experience. Because of the fundamental role of symbolization in almost everything we do, perhaps no aspect of human development is more important than becoming symbol-minded.

                    As we go through understanding these symbols, we draw from our experiences when we attempt to understand something that touches our senses. Our lives are built upon these experiences and they enlighten or prejudice us when we encounter new and perhaps different expressions of old themes. For some, the mere reminder of a certain subject will trigger memories or reactions that are visceral than reflective. For others, the event can be an awakening of a new chapter in their lives.

                    These symbols showcase negative themes so as to confront us with the disturbing and the disgusting. But if we would care to analyze them, we would realize that there are actually positive themes which would enable us to ponder just how thin the line which separates beauty and terror, truth and fantasy.