How do I talk about symbolism in my exam?

If you are analysing a text such as 'The Great Gatsby' or 'Jane Eyre', it might be useful in your essay to speak about symbols in either text. This can be done in a variety of ways, but it is better for you to use your own approach, as you can remember it more efficiently in an exam. 

Seeing a symbol pop up in a text is usually easy. Either your teacher will have pointed it out in lesson, or you may have seen it yourself. For example, in 'The Great Gatsby' the titular character has his arms outstretched towards the ocean, the green light. It could be seen as literal, as Daisy lives across the water, however it is more likely that the light is a symbol. Because it is far away, it symbolises unattainability and Gatsby's idealistic nature.