Color symbolism in literature has long been used as a tool to enhance the emotional depth, thematic resonance, and psychological complexity of a narrative. From the gold that signifies wealth and corruption in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby to the deep black that represents death and mourning in Edgar Allan Poe’s gothic tales, color carries with it not just visual significance but also an underlying symbolic meaning. For young writers eager to explore new layers of storytelling, understanding the symbolic power of color offers an opportunity to enrich their narratives. In this article, we will explore how colors function symbolically in literature, offering insights into how they can be used effectively to convey themes, emotions, and psychological states.
Color symbolism is not a universal language. While certain colors carry shared connotations across many cultures—such as white for purity or black for death—interpretations of colors can also vary greatly depending on cultural, historical, and regional contexts. Writers must be sensitive to these variations when using color in their narratives. In India, for instance, white is often associated with mourning and death, whereas in many Western cultures, it symbolizes innocence and weddings. This means that a writer must be conscious of the cultural setting of their story and the meanings that readers from different backgrounds may attach to certain colors.
One of the most famous examples of color symbolism in modern literature is found in The Great Gatsby, where F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the color green to symbolize hope, ambition, and the unattainable American Dream. The green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock, which Gatsby gazes at longingly, serves as a metaphor for his unreachable desires, and by extension, the elusive nature of wealth and success in 1920s America. Green, in this context, is not merely a color but a symbol of the dream that drives Gatsby’s tragic pursuit. For young writers, Fitzgerald’s use of green demonstrates how color can function as a motif, subtly reinforcing the central themes of a novel without explicitly stating them ([Fitzgerald, 1925](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/60477/the-great-gatsby-by-f-scott-fitzgerald/)).
Beyond specific novels, colors in literature can also evoke particular emotions or moods. Red, for instance, is often used to signify passion, violence, or danger. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, the color red symbolizes both sin and passion. The scarlet letter that Hester Prynne is forced to wear becomes a complex symbol of her shame, her strength, and the societal judgment imposed upon her. As the novel progresses, the meaning of the red "A" shifts, reflecting not only Hester’s inner transformation but also the changing attitudes of the society around her. Writers can draw inspiration from this example, using red in their own stories to evoke not only passion but also the complexities of human emotion and societal norms ([Hawthorne, 1850](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/573823/the-scarlet-letter-by-nathaniel-hawthorne/)).
Blue, on the other hand, often carries connotations of calm, sadness, or introspection. In Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye, blue becomes a symbol of societal ideals of beauty and the destructive impact of these ideals on individual identity. The protagonist, Pecola, longs for blue eyes as a way of escaping the societal rejection she faces as a black girl. The color blue, in this context, represents both an impossible ideal and the internalized racism that haunts Pecola. Morrison’s use of color goes beyond the superficial and taps into deep emotional and social currents, showing how color can be a powerful tool for exploring complex themes of identity, race, and beauty standards ([Morrison, 1970](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/115970/the-bluest-eye-by-toni-morrison/)).
Writers can also use color to reflect a character’s psychological state. For instance, Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway employs shades of white and gray to reflect Clarissa Dalloway’s feelings of emptiness and existential uncertainty. The muted tones of her environment mirror the internal sense of disconnection and disillusionment that defines her emotional experience throughout the novel. Woolf’s ability to use color not only as a descriptive device but as an extension of her character’s inner world demonstrates the potential for subtle color symbolism to add psychological depth to a story ([Woolf, 1925](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/567637/mrs-dalloway-by-virginia-woolf/)). For young writers, this technique offers an opportunity to connect the external world of the narrative with the internal lives of their characters, creating a more immersive and emotionally resonant reading experience.
While certain colors carry established meanings, it is important to remember that these associations are not fixed. Writers have the freedom to subvert or redefine the symbolic meanings of colors within their narratives. For instance, in Beloved by Toni Morrison, the color red appears repeatedly but carries multiple meanings throughout the novel. It symbolizes both life and death, freedom and oppression. The red blood of Sethe’s murdered child becomes a haunting reminder of both the horrors of slavery and the indelible connection between mother and child. Morrison’s use of red transcends its typical associations with violence, offering a more nuanced and layered symbolism that reflects the complexity of the novel’s themes ([Morrison, 1987](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/115969/beloved-by-toni-morrison/)).
Similarly, black, often associated with death or evil, can also be used to symbolize strength, resilience, or the unknown. In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, the pervasive blackness of the African jungle is symbolic of both the mystery and the perceived savagery of the colonial imagination. However, as the novel progresses, the symbolic use of blackness shifts, challenging the reader’s assumptions and revealing the darkness within the European characters themselves. Conrad’s manipulation of color symbolism in this novel demonstrates the potential for writers to play with readers’ expectations, using color to challenge preconceived notions and explore the complexities of human morality ([Conrad, 1899](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/56541/heart-of-darkness-by-joseph-conrad/)).
In some cases, color symbolism can be closely tied to the specific setting or time period of a story. For example, in postcolonial literature, colors may take on additional layers of meaning, reflecting the cultural and political dynamics of the setting. In Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, the colors of the earth—brown and red—symbolize the deep connection between the Igbo people and their land. These natural colors are contrasted with the white of the colonialists, symbolizing not only the physical difference between the colonizers and the colonized but also the alien nature of colonial rule. The use of color in this context reflects both the natural world and the cultural disruption caused by colonialism, offering a vivid representation of the novel’s central themes of identity, change, and resistance ([Achebe, 1958](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/536445/things-fall-apart-by-chinua-achebe/)).
For young writers, one of the key challenges in using color symbolism is ensuring that it remains subtle and integrated into the fabric of the narrative. Overuse or heavy-handedness can make color symbolism feel forced or contrived. Instead, color should be woven into the story in a way that feels organic, allowing it to enhance the mood, theme, or character development without drawing undue attention to itself. A well-chosen color symbol can resonate with readers on an emotional and intellectual level, adding depth and nuance to the story without overwhelming the narrative.
Another consideration for writers is the relationship between color and mood. In gothic literature, for instance, the use of dark colors—blacks, grays, deep purples—helps to create an atmosphere of foreboding and mystery. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the dark, stormy landscapes mirror the turmoil and horror of Victor Frankenstein’s scientific creation, while also reflecting his inner guilt and fear. By aligning the colors of the setting with the emotional tone of the story, Shelley enhances the reader’s sense of dread and suspense ([Shelley, 1818](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/556391/frankenstein-by-mary-shelley/)). Young writers can experiment with using color in this way, thinking about how the palette of their fictional world can contribute to the emotional atmosphere of their story.
In conclusion, color symbolism offers writers a powerful tool for enriching their narratives, allowing them to convey themes, emotions, and character development through subtle visual cues. Whether using established associations or creating new symbolic meanings, writers can employ color to deepen the reader’s engagement with the story. For young writers, experimenting with color symbolism is an opportunity to explore the intersection of language, imagery, and meaning, adding complexity and resonance to their work. As seen in the works of Fitzgerald, Morrison, and Achebe, color symbolism, when used thoughtfully and purposefully, can transform a simple narrative into a richly layered exploration of human experience.
References:
- Achebe, C. (1958). Things Fall Apart. Retrieved from https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/536445/things-fall-apart-by-chinua-achebe/
- Conrad, J. (1899). Heart of Darkness. Retrieved from https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/56541/heart-of-darkness-by-joseph-conrad/
