Symbolism in literature is characterized by the use of an object to represent something more than its literal meaning. an unexpected outcome or turn of events. the main idea of a literary work, or message the author wants to express. the use of allusion in reference to past events or historic figures.

What response does lincoln hope to elicit from his listeners with these words from his gettysburg address "we gave to come dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives, that that nation might live. it is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this