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The river Thames in 'Heart of Darkness' symbolizes the connection between civilized London and the dark continent of Africa, reflecting on imperialism.

Big Brother symbolizes the invasive presence of a totalitarian government, ever-watching and stripping away personal freedoms.

The cave in Plato's 'The Allegory of the Cave' symbolizes the limitation of human perspective and the transformative power of education and enlightenment.

The scarlet letter 'A' symbolizes the adulterous act Hester Prynne has committed and the public shame she must endure as a result.

The mockingbird symbolizes innocence and harmlessness, embodying the idea that it is a sin to harm those who do not harm others.

Blood in 'Macbeth' symbolizes guilt and the inevitability of fate, as seen in the repeated bloody imagery following Duncan’s murder.

The chocolate factory symbolizes a world of wonder and possibility, contrasting with the bleakness of Charlie’s life, and represents the rewards of goodness and imagination.

The windmill in 'Animal Farm' symbolizes the pigs' manipulation of the other animals for their own gain and the false promise of a better future.

The green light at the end of Daisy's dock represents Gatsby’s hopes and dreams for the future, especially his desire to be reunited with Daisy.

The eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg, depicted on an old billboard, symbolize the loss of spiritual values in America, acting as a god-like figure observing a moral wasteland.

The road in Kerouac’s 'On The Road' symbolizes freedom, exploration, and the search for identity within the vast postwar American landscape.

The white-washed fence represents the societal expectations of conformity and the illusion of worth gained through appearance.

The Overlook Hotel in 'The Shining' symbolizes isolation, the haunting of past sins, and the disintegration of the Torrance family.

The footnotes in 'The Third Policeman' symbolize the absurd and circular nature of the narrator’s quest for knowledge, mocking the scholarly obsession with minutia.

Atticus Finch embodies the moral center of the novel, symbolizing the fight for justice and the integrity required to oppose prejudice.

Holden's red hunting hat symbolizes his uniqueness and his desire for independence and protection.

The Mississippi River symbolizes freedom, especially as Huck and Jim traverse it to escape their circumstances.

London and Paris in 'A Tale of Two Cities' symbolize the starkly different social conditions and political turmoil before and during the French Revolution.

The pigs in 'Animal Farm' symbolize the corruptibility of power and how those in power manipulate others for personal gain.

The conch shell symbolizes law, order, and civilized authority. Once it ceases to be used, or is destroyed, anarchy takes over.

The white whale, Moby-Dick, symbolizes the elusive, often destructive nature of human ambition when it turns into obsession.

The chess game in 'Through the Looking-Glass' symbolizes the sense of predestination and the arbitrary nature of advancement in a hierarchical society.

The white whale, Moby-Dick, represents the unpredictable force of nature and the dangers of obsession.

The ash tree in M.R. James’s 'The Ash-tree' symbolizes a dark history and the continuity of evil, as it stands outside the protagonist's window harboring sinister secrets.

Napoleon's statue in 'Animal Farm' symbolizes the cult of personality and the way a leader's image can be used to enforce power and control.

Piggy's glasses symbolize the power of science and intellectual endeavor in society, and their degradation signifies the boys' descent into savagery.

The mirror in 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' symbolizes self-obsession and the superficial values of society, reflecting Dorian’s true nature.

The One Ring symbolizes the corrupting influence of power and the heavy burden of carrying such a power that can potentially control others.

Gatsby's yellow car symbolizes the destructive power of material excess and the carelessness of the wealthy elite.

In 'The Color Purple', the protagonist’s diary symbolizes her struggle for self-expression and liberation in a repressive society.

The glass paperweight in '1984' symbolizes Winston’s desire to connect with the past and the fragility of his own secret, rebellious world.

In 'Fahrenheit 451', fire symbolizes destruction and censorship, but later becomes a symbol of warmth, survival, and rebirth.

The armadillo in 'The Bean Trees' represents the theme of survival and protection, as the main character learns to care and provide safety for herself and others.

Miss Havisham's wedding dress symbolizes her inability to move past her personal trauma and the bitterness that has consumed her life.

The yellow wallpaper symbolizes the oppression of women, specifically the narrator’s struggle with mental illness and her husband’s control over her life.

In Orwell’s essay 'Shooting an Elephant', the elephant symbolizes the destructive nature of imperialism, both on the colonized and the colonizer.

In 'All the King’s Men', Sugar-Boy’s constant eating of cakes symbolizes his need for sweetness and comfort, contrasting with the harsh world of politics.

The sow’s head, or 'Lord of the Flies', symbolizes the manifestation of evil and savagery within the boys on the island, representing their inner beasts.

The Ministry of Truth symbolizes the paradoxical nature of totalitarian propaganda and the manipulation of history.