Symbol

1. Harris, Robert. "Evaluating Internet Research Sources." VirtualSalt. 17 Nov. 1997. 5 June 2007 < http://www.virtualsalt.com/litterms.htm >.

The website is dedicated to various educational information from a retired professor that is now dedicating his time to writing. This site is very informative especially when it comes to literary terms. Virtual Salt does a good job at explaining the literary term Symbol and it was very informative and precise. It does a good job at describing how it would be used in a text and I helpful with the text that I read. This site is credible due to the fact that a retired professor with creditential dedicated this website to be helpful and assist an array of people that need help with writing and literary terms.

2. Merriam-Webster’s Encyclopedia of Literature © 1995. symbol. Literature Resource Center 9 June 2007

The main purpose of the Gale Database of Mesa Community College is to verify the definition of terms needed to conduct a research. The website defines the term symbol as “something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance; especially, a visible sign of something invisible (for example, the lion is a symbol of courage and the cross is a symbol of Christianity)” (Gale database). The website analyzes the term symbol by giving the example of the lion and the cross. The symbol of the text Common Sense I will be reading for this packet is based on weening America from its mother, Great Britain. Paine uses this metaphor to explain the term of symbol in his writing. This website is credible because it is a trusted site established for educational institutions.

3. "Definition of Symbols." Concepts for Reading and Writing. 8 June 2007 < http://web.umr.edu/~gdoty/classes/concepts-practices/def-symbols.html >.

The site provides a definition of symbol as "a sign which has further layers of meaning," which simply translates to something that has different meanings. For example, that 'something' could be a cup, which could represent or 'symbolize' a more profound meaning, a vessel of life, as a cup holds water, the essential element of life. The page offers a very descriptive definition of symbol. The definition of symbol provided does give me a better understanding of what to look for or how to interpret elements in my selected text, which would be "The Lamplighter" by Maria S. Cummins. Already in the titel of the text you can get an idea of one of the symbol I'll be looking out for. The page is a link, part of an internet class for a university.

4. Dr. Wheeler. "Literary Terms and Definitions: S." Web.Cn.Edu. 4 June 2007. Carson-Newman College. 16 June 2007 <http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/lit_terms_S.html>. 

The main purpose of this website is to offer definitions and examples of literary terms. The website defines symbol as a word, place, character, or object that means something beyond what it is on a literal level. The website states an object, a setting, or even a character can represent another more general idea, one should keep this in mind when analyzing text. The understanding of this literary term helps better understand the text because what is written is not always what the author means. The website is credible because there is an author indicated. There is also a works cited page to show where the information used came from.

5. “Glossary Notes.” Notes in the Margin. 2002. 15 June 2007 < http://www.notesinthemargin.org/glossary.html >. 

This website is meant to provide basic definitions for frequently used literary terms. Here, symbol is defined as “something that is itself and also stands for something else.” In a literary sense, a symbol combines a literal quality with an abstract or suggestive aspect. Some symbols embody universal meanings, like water suggesting time and eternity. Other symbols come to have independent meanings, developed by characters in literature. At the end of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, George Shelby frees his slaves and tells them that when they look at Uncle Tom’s cabin they should remember their freedom and dedicate themselves to leading a Christian life like Uncle Tom’s. The sight of Uncle Tom’s cabin on his property serves as a constant reminder of the suffering endured by his slaves. The cabin symbolizes both the destructive power of slavery and the ability of Christian values and love to overcome it. The symbol of Uncle Tom’s cabin becomes very personal and meaningful to the characters in the novel as well as readers.

This website provides citations for all of its research.

6. Tarlton, Misty.  “Symbolism.”  All American Glossary of Literary Terms.  15 June 2007. < http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/general/glossary.htm#s >. 

This is another glossary of literary terms, provided by the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.  Pembroke, author of the term “symbolism” describes it as “a word or object that stands for another word or object. The object or word can be seen with the eye or not visible. For example a dove stands for Peace. The dove can be seen and peace cannot.” While not terribly comprehensive, the definition does give a bare-bones definition of what a symbol in literature can mean, and why authors use them.  I found that, since the website came from a University’s home page, it was reliable. 

6.  “Symbol.”  Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia.  June 11, 2007.  June 23, 2007. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbol >

     This website gives a definition for symbols and instances when symbols are used.  Symbols are words or characters that represent ideas.  This website helps readers understand an author who uses symbolism in their writing.  This website is credible because this definition matches with others given for symbolism.