Story Plan Checklist: Symbols

[ladyseishou]

The horse, the horse! The symbol of surging potency and power of movement, of action.

- D.H. Lawrence



Your story's symbols...

Another method of characterization suggested by Karen Weisner in her Story Plan Checklist is to provide your characters with a symbol "that defines him, defines the situation he's in, or both."

Additionally, Ms. Weisner writes:

The symbol can be tangible, in the form of something that defines the character, setting and plot in some way - a piano, pet, flower, map or necklace - but it doesn't have to be. It can be a trait or mannerism the character uses frequently that says something about him and/or develops the character, setting and plot.

In my story, the characters' "magical" strength is recognized by their rank (both in society and as members of an organized defensive force) which is represented by a kind of amulet each mage wears. For my protagonist, the amulet is in turns, a symbol of power, means and finally, servitude which should reflect both his inner and outer journeys.

What symbols can you associate with your story's characters?

Comments

[cheyinka]

Well, my scientist characters have patches on their uniforms and on their pressure suits (the pressure suits are why they're called "the double-skinned" by the humans who've been living in an alien-designed habitat).

The aliens, on the other hand, paint their faces and hands with paint that only reflects ultraviolet light - their ways of identifying themselves are literally incomprehensible to humans, just like their motivations.

[lea_hazel]

My protagonist wears lead paste makeup, a wig and gloves that manifest the fact that she can't show her skin in public, because her species is nearly extinct. I am also thinking of adding sand lily symbolism. It's a flower that grows on the sea shore and only blooms at night, so it has attributes of both the male and female lead.

[sonjadenise]

My main character wears the traditional robes of her culture, in the color red (associated with The Mother), because she is part of the priesthood; she also has some kind of tattoo on her leg, marking her as one of The Eyes. (She's also supposed to wear her hair a particular way, but I haven't put much thought into that detail, yet.)