Read the definitions of plot and symbolism. Plot and symbolism are two distinct tools used in fiction writing. To distill symbolism contained in a story it is important to keep this in mind. While the plot carries the story through events and actions taken by the characters, symbolism is a mechanism through which recurring characters, settings or even specific words are used to provide alternative meaning. Recurring words and phrases in the story can represent additional insight into the characters and actions taken by those characters.
Read the story closely and carefully in order to fully know and understand the characters, setting and action. Without this close reading, repeated images, words and phrases may be missed, and therefore the symbolism contained in them also missed.
Pick out words and phrases that are used repeatedly throughout the story and take note of them in a journal. Determine what meaning these words and phrases have outside of the story. Are the words or phrases allegorical, in other words, do they have a double meaning?
Decide how the allegories relate to specific characters, or character actions. Once this is done, then decide how this relationship affects the ongoing action in the story.
Determine if the symbolism used is consistent with the characters, setting, action and ultimately the plot. Just as character decisions and actions in a story should remain consistent with their described intelligence and personality, the symbolism you identify should also remain consistent with aspects of the story. In other words, the symbolism should highlight the plot, not be in conflict with it.
Start with an introductory paragraph describing what you feel the symbolism in the story actually means.
Write about the images, words and phrases used in the story that are symbolic. Relate these symbolic images to the character, setting and flow of action in the story in order to present your argument. Cite specific examples as evidence.
Critique the symbolism in the story. Use your consistency analysis to argue whether or not the symbolism was effective with the plot, and if it was consistent with the character, setting and action in the story. Use concrete examples in your analysis.