There are hundreds of books where dogs are the protagonist' closest companion. Dogs are one of the best animals symbols, because not do they only symbolize loyalty they are actually loyal animals. Dogs are often killed in literature as a way to connect emotionally with the audience. Because we associate dogs with loyalty, it is saddening when they're killed. Even if you don't like dogs you feel bad when the dog does because throughout the book you create a connection, only to have it severed.
The Swan Symbolizes beauty and peace. In the fable "The Ugly Duckling" the swan is made fun of because he looks different, but when he joins the flock of swans he realizes that he is beautiful. Now you can find swans at weddings and important events in water as decoration because they are considered beautiful, because of the effect symbols have on how we think.
Throughout pop culture you can see the raven appear as something bad is about to happen. This overwhelming abundance of exposure to the symbol makes the raven one of the best animals symbols in literature. In Edgar Allen Poe's poem the raven, Poe is terrorized by the appearance of a raven on his balcony. He considers the raven a harbinger of death. The raven also symbolizes death in many other works of literature.
Children's stories effect our perception of everything. They teach us right and wrong from a young age. In the fable "The Tortoise and the Hare" the hare is symbolic of energy, ignorance, and youth. Although the Hare is faster than the tortoise, he still loses the race because he was overly confident in his own performance. Everyone in America knows this story and the symbolism is easily understood, so the hare is one of the best animals symbols in literature.
The tortoise is one of the best animals symbols, because in contrast to the hare the tortoise is a symbol of perseverance. Even though the odds seemed impossible, the tortoise raced the hare anyway. He committed to doing his best and ended yup beating the hare because of his character instead of his natural abilities. The tortoise also symbolizes steadfastness, wisdom, and longevity.
The most memorable stories are the one's that teach us lessons. "The Gingerbread Man" teaches us to be careful who we trust. In this fable the fox appears at the end as the Gingerbread Man is in need. The fox tells the Gingerbread Man that he can be trusted but he eats him once they are in the river. Everyone knows the phrase, "Sly as a fox." The fox symbolizes deceit, making it one of the best animal symbols in literature.
The lamb is also one of the best animal symbols in literature because of its close ties to the bible. Jesus is called the lamb of God throughout the bible. The strong symbolic connections between the lamb and Jesus, causes the lamb to be a universal symbol of youth, innocents, and purity.
The snake is one of the best animal symbols in literature because of its close ties to the bible. The snake is seen in the Garden of Eden as the voice of the devil. Every Christian religion associates the snake with the devil. When the snake appears other American literature it still carries the bad connotations from the bible. The snake is a symbol of evil.
