Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam

What is an example of symbolism in literature?

1. A character engaging in a physical action that represents an emotion.

2. A character's name that symbolizes his or her fate.

3. A conflict between a character and nature that mirrors an internal struggle.

4. A direct reference to a historical event as an allusion to the present.

The correct answer is: A character's name that symbolizes his or her fate.

An example of symbolism in literature is when a character's name symbolizes his or her fate. This means that the character's name carries a deeper meaning and represents what will happen to them in the story. The other options may also contain elements of symbolism, but they do not specifically pertain to a character's name and its symbolic significance. Option A describes a physical action representing an emotion, option C describes a conflict between a character and nature, and option D describes an allusion to a historical event. These could all be used as symbolism in literature, but they are not specific examples of a character's name symbolizing their fate.