In each of the examples below, notice that each symbol aligns with the overall tone and theme of the poem. That is, if it's a tough subject, the words will take on a negative or morose tone, while the symbols evoke images of cold or dark objects. These indicators will also align with the theme, or overall message, of the poem.

Examples of Symbolism in Poetry

"My Heart Leaps Up When I Behold" by William Wordsworth

In Wordsworth's poem, we see sparks of hope. When he sees a rainbow in the sky, it's not merely a beautiful sight to behold. It also symbolizes his childish wonder. Wordsworth maintains a large part of his childish wonder by remaining in awe in the beauty of nature (and encourages his audience to do the same).

My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man;
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.

"To the Moon" by Percy Bysshe Shelley

In this poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley, the moon symbolizes loneliness and unrequited love. In fact, Shelley describes it as "wandering companionless." How sad. Notice the tone of some of the other words below like "weariness" and "joyless." They align well with the symbolism invoked by a lonely moon.

Art thou pale for weariness

Of climbing heaven, and gazing on the earth,

Wandering companionless

Among the stars that have a different birth,-

And ever-changing, like a joyless eye

That finds no object worth its constancy?

"XXIII" by A. E. Housman

In Alfred Edward Housman's famous poem, the ferry is a symbolism for death. Notice the narrator is alone on a nighted ferry; it aligns rather well with thoughts of death and dying. The final two words also align with the theme, indicating the narrator won't be found when the ship docks in the wharf.

In a deeper sense, this is also a nod to Greek mythology. You had to pay a coin (this is why Ancient Greeks put coins on the eyes of the deceased) to Charon the ferryman to take you across the river Styx to Hades. Charon's job was to carry the souls of the newly deceased to the land of the dead.

Crossing alone the nighted ferry

With the one coin for fee,

Whom, on the wharf of Lethe waiting,

Count you to find? Not me

"His Confession" by The Archpoet

The Archpoet uses a withered leaf in this poem to symbolize aging. We're reminded of our elemental nature and the fact that, in the end, our bodies break down to a point where we're no stronger than a withered leaf.

I am of one element,

Levity my matter,

Like enough a withered leaf

For the winds to scatter.

"A Light Exists in Spring" by Emily Dickinson

Symbols for hope and happiness are usually easy to pick up. We enjoyed visions of rainbows in Wordsworth's poem. Now, Emily Dickinson will use light in a similar fashion. This, too, is a viable symbol for the representation of happiness and hope.

A light exists in Spring

Not present on the year

At any other period-

When March is scarcely here

"Directive" by Robert Frost

In this poem, Robert Frost is discussing Christianity. The house of make-believe is a symbol for the religion. It's a rather harsh symbol, too, when you consider he's comparing believers to children in a house of make-believe. A few lines later, the narrator tells us he stole the goblet from the children's house. This is a symbol for his rejection of faith, which is rather apparent by his scorching comparisons to a house of make-believe.

First there's the children's house of make-believe,

Some shattered dishes underneath a pine,

The playthings in the playhouse of the children.

Weep for what little things could make them glad.

Then for the house that is no more a house,

But only a belilaced cellar hole,

Now slowly closing like a dent in dough.

This was no playhouse but a house in earnest.

Your destination and your destiny's

A brook that was the water of the house,

Cold as a spring as yet so near its source,

Too lofty and original to rage.

(We know the valley streams that when aroused

Will leave their tatters hung on barb and thorn.)

I have kept hidden in the instep arch

Of an old cedar at the waterside

A broken drinking goblet like the Grail

Under a spell so the wrong ones can't find it,

So can't get saved, as Saint Mark says they mustn't.

(I stole the goblet from the children's playhouse.)

Here are your waters and your watering place.

Drink and be whole again beyond confusion.

"Ah Sunflower" by William Blake

To no surprise, we come upon another poem that links nature and humanity. Here, Romantic era poet William Blake uses sunflowers to represent people. We, as people, sometimes grow weary as life carries on. Blake also uses the sun to symbolize life. Weary sunflowers count the steps to the sun. Or, weary people march their way to the end of their lives.

Ah Sunflower, weary of time,

Who countest the steps of the sun;

Seeking after that sweet golden clime

Where the traveler's journey is done;

"London" by William Blake

Fortunately, not all of Blake's poems were bleak. It just so happens that two of his finest examples of symbolism come from rather dreary pieces. In "London," Blake offers a morose glimpse into London life during his time. He conveys his message, without directly pointing any fingers. Below, we'll see him use "chimney sweepers" to refer to child labor, "palace walls" to refer to the monarchy and "chart'd" streets and rivers" to refer to the power of chartered banks and investment firms over the common people.

I wander thro' each charter'd street,

Near where the charter'd Thames does flow.

And mark in every face I meet

Marks of weakness, marks of woe.

In every cry of every Man,

In every Infants cry of fear,

In every voice: in every ban,

The mind-forg'd manacles I hear

How the Chimney-sweepers cry

Every blackning Church appalls,

And the hapless Soldiers sigh

Runs in blood down Palace walls

But most thro' midnight streets I hear

How the youthful Harlots curse

Blasts the new-born Infants tear

And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse

Sinuous Symbols

Symbolism can be as sinuous as you please. That is, it can take readers through sharp curves and unexpected turns. But, beyond the excitement of it all, symbolism is a powerful support system to the theme of any given work.

If the theme of the poem is the treachery inflicted upon the impoverished Londoners, then it makes sense to evoke images of dirty chimney sweeps and hapless cries. To continue your study into this evocative literary device, enjoy Examples of Symbolism.

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Examples of Symbolism in Poetry

By YourDictionary

In poetry and other forms of writing, symbolism is often used to convey a specific meaning to the audience. Writers often employ this literary device as a means of artistic expression. Why say, “I’m lonely,” when you can paint a picture of a lone moon “wandering companionless” through the night sky? How beautiful is that?In each of the examples below, notice that each symbol aligns with the overall tone and theme of the poem. That is, if it’s a tough subject, the words will take on a negative or morose tone, while the symbols evoke images of cold or dark objects. These indicators will also align with the theme, or overall message, of the poem.