Symbolism

About

Symbolism, a literary movement, emerged in France during the late 19th century. It emphasized the use of symbols to convey personal, emotional experiences and ideas. Key figures included Charles Baudelaire, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Verlaine, and Arthur Rimbaud. Symbolism reacted against Realism and Naturalism, focusing on the subjective and irrational aspects of human consciousness. It influenced literature worldwide, bridging the gap between Realism and Modernism. Symbolist writers used metaphorical language and free verse to evoke eternal states of being. Their work often explored themes of love, death, and the human condition. Symbolism also influenced art, with painters like Paul Gauguin and Gustav Klimt creating works that reflected emotions and ideas rather than reality. The movement's emphasis on suggestion over description allowed for a deeper exploration of the human experience, shaping both literature and art for centuries to come.