This week: Using Symbolism Edited by: Lilith of House Martell  
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Most stories use patterns or specific objects as metaphors for a concept that the story is trying to convey. In horror stories, many such objects are used to intensify the mood, identify character traits, emphasize themes and concepts (e.g. good and evil), and foreshadow events. Objects can be powerful symbols that add depth and meaning to a story.
Horror stories try to capture our worst nightmares. As Carl G. Jung observed in his book Man and His Symbols (1979): "Commonplace objects or ideas can assume such powerful psychic significance in a dream that we may awake seriously disturbed, in spite of having dreamed of nothing worse than a locked room or a missed train" and “As a general rule, the unconscious aspect of any event is revealed to us in dreams, where it appears not as a rational thought but as a symbolic image." |
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Writers can use objects that appeal to our unconscious for added, subtle dimensions to reinforce themes. Some of the most common symbolic objects found in horror include:
1. Religious Symbols
Religion is very prevalent in horror, with themes of life and death, spirituality, man playing god, man fighting inner as well as outer demons, good versus evil, and so forth. Religious artifacts may be Christian, occult, satanic, voodoo, or about any other type of belief in something greater than humanity. Symbolic objects can overpower a character's reasoning.
2. Symbols of Death
Death is naturally pervasive in horror and there are countless representative objects, such as coffins, gravestones, skeletons, angels of death, and so forth. In Psycho (1960), the taxidermy birds are representative of the dead mother in the home and Bates’ schizophrenic attempts to keep her alive after death. In horror, there can be confusion between life and death, such as ghosts, zombies, and the supernatural, so objects can help symbolize who is on which side.
3. Colors
Many writers use color to symbolize themes and the powers of good and evil. Red is often associated with evil, blood, lust, and violence. Black is also naturally associated with evil, while light, neutral colors, or earth tones are associated with good or the general populace. While writers shouldn’t overdo wardrobe descriptions, describing the color and texture of objects or wardrobe can be useful if it is essential to the character.
4. Light
Light can symbolize many things, such as hope, transition, escape, and even death. Sunlight normally provides a sense of comfort so the incongruity of sunlight and horror can be especially unnerving. Candles, lanterns, and flashlights are common sources of light in horror, as the light can only be cast so far while the surrounding darkness is rife with shadows.
5. Weapons
A majority of horror stories involve the use of weapons, from machine guns to saws. Weapons have phallic symbolism that suggests masculine power and the woman that outsmarts the villain essentially castrates him.
6. Fabric
Fabric appears in many forms in horror, such as drapes, tapestries, and furniture dust coverings. Fabric can disguise horror and intensify it through movement or the suggested presence of something behind it. The protagonist can also hide behind fabric, but of course, is not protected by it.
7. Keys/Locks
Keys and locks symbolize secrets, confinement, and hidden objects or places. Perhaps a secret room in the attic or basement. Think of places where people might hide secret, yet powerful, documents - safe deposit box, desk, file cabinet, safe.
8. Doors and Windows
Doors and windows (or any portal) have many symbolic meanings. Often, they help symbolize characterization. With windows, a person has a limited perspective and is like a spectator, not part of the outside world. The person looking through the window may be frightened of the world outside or physically unable to be part of it.
9. Labyrinths/Mazes
Mazes and labyrinths have often appeared in horror to heighten the protagonist’s lack of control. Consider the hedge maze in The Shining. Mazes offer many opportunities for sudden surprises around the corner, trap doors, circular action, and a sense of improbability for escape.
10. Dolls
Dolls have appeared often in horror storytelling. The incongruity of a child’s toy and danger can make it unnerving, as dolls normally represent happiness, innocence, and nurturing. Yet their distorted human qualities, such as oversized heads, unblinking eyes or exaggerated features, can make them especially eerie. Doll appearances can be subtle. The doll on a sting represents a figure that is not in control of its movements or destiny. Dolls, on the other hand, come in so many forms, from voodoo to Barbie dolls and battered antiques to contemporary ones, that they offer vast opportunities for symbolic use. A doll’s symbolism, which may be expressed through children’s play or other means, might include sexuality, lack of control, death, desire, regret, families, aging, and much more.
11. Masks
From the Phantom of the Opera to horror classics, masks are most often used to disguise evil. Masks are devoid of movement, except for the eyes, which makes them unnerving, like doll faces. Masks have been over-utilized in horror so writers should be cautious and inventive in how they disguise their villains if it is important to the story to do so.
12. Mirrors
Mirrors, or a mirror effect such as reflections in glass or water, can have many symbolic meanings though typically represent the multiple dualities of characters. Broken mirrors have obvious connotations of shattered lives and personalities. Mirrors can also represent voyeuristic, vanity, and sexual themes – we display our bodies and beautify ours faces in front of them in private. Mirrors can also reflect dangers.
13. Rope
A rope has many symbolic meanings, from bondage, flogging, and death (the noose) to a means of escape or survival. In horror, ropes are most often used as a form of bondage. This symbolism has been used since the dawn of horror and has symbolic importance today.
In conclusion, symbolism can be very powerful and is an important tool that writers can use to enhance theme and character. When working on your next story, consider how everyday objects can be used to effectively alter mood. Even a paper doll can be salaciously scary if in the right hands!
Happy Writing! |
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Horror/Scary: December 15, 2021 Issue [#11102]
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