Black and white have long been used as symbolic colors in literature. Writers often use these colors to represent deeper themes and ideas in their works. Black and white tend to have strong symbolic connotations of good and evil, death and life, sin and purity, and more.
Good vs Evil
One of the most common symbolic meanings of black and white is good versus evil. Black is often associated with evil, darkness, morbidity, and wrongdoing. Meanwhile, white frequently represents goodness, light, innocence, and purity. Writers often use this contrast to explore deeper questions of morality, ethics, and human nature.
For example, in many Western stories and folktales, the “good guys” wear white hats while the “bad guys” wear black hats. This visually signals to the audience who is moral and just versus who is evil and corrupt. We see this in cowboy movies, where the heroic cowboy protagonist often wears a white hat.
Furthermore, many stories use white and black imagery when discussing ethics and sin. White is linked to virginity, innocence, and a clean conscience. Black is tied to carnal desires, immorality, and guilt. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s famous novel The Scarlet Letter, the main character is punished for adultery by being forced to wear a black letter “A.” This colors her sin in dark hues.
Life and Death
Black and white also take on symbolic meaning in regard to life and death. White frequently represents life, birth, and purity, while black signifies death, darkness, and morbidity. We see this symbolism used in literature about war, plague, famine, and more.
For instance, ancient Greek and Roman poets often wrote about the whiteness of bones and pallor of skin to represent life draining away. When they described someone growing pale and white, it signaled the approach of death. In contrast, the darkening of skin or environment could symbolize death’s arrival.
In modern times, writers continue using this motif. White clothes or bed linen implies cleanliness and life, while black clothing or dark rooms symbolize death and gloom. For example, in Margaret Mitchell’s novel Gone With the Wind, curtains and gowns are drawn or changed to black after loved ones die.
Goodness and Purity
As mentioned, white strongly represents goodness and purity throughout literature. It is tied to innocence, virginity, and a clean moral slate. The color white appears in descriptions of good characters or redemptive story arcs to signal moral virtue.
For instance, in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings books, the wizard Gandalf the Grey dies and is reborn as Gandalf the White. This transformation represents his transition toward greater wisdom and integrity. His white cloak signals moral purity and goodness.
Similarly, the main character of Herman Melville’s novel Moby Dick, Ishmael, describes the whale as having a wondrous white hue. The white whale essentially symbolizes the unknowable mysteries and truths of existence. Its white color links it to profundity.
Darkness and Evil
In contrast to white, black signifies darkness, gloom, and evil throughout literature. Writers use it to represent menacing characters, immoral acts, scary places, and more. Black demonstrates wickedness and danger.
For example, in Bram Stoker’s Gothic novel Dracula, the main vampire antagonist Count Dracula wears black clothes and dwells in a foreboding black castle. This use of black associates Dracula with death and malevolence.
Similarly, in Joseph Conrad’s famous novella Heart of Darkness, white European characters travel into the African Congo, which is described as a place of mystery and blackness. The dark setting represents the ambiguous “dark” side of human nature that they encounter.
The Greyness of Morality
While black and white can symbolize strong moral contrast, many writers use shades of grey to represent moral ambiguity. Grey indicates a middle ground between black and white, good and evil.
For instance, in Marguerite Poland’s novel Train to Nowhere, a young white girl finds her racist worldviews challenged as she comes to know her kind black coworkers. Her understanding of morality is no longer sharply black and white; it grows nuanced and grey.
Likewise, in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, the majority of characters exist in a grey ethical realm between good and evil. Their moral compasses are complicated by desperation, loneliness, and need.
Historical Associations
In some literary contexts, black and white take on historical and cultural symbolism. They may represent specific groups, practices, or traditions based on real historical associations.
For instance, in Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved, the black female characters represent African-American slaves living under the horrors of bondage and bigotry. Their blackness connects them to a historical experience of oppression.
Similarly, white has represented upper class privilege and status. In many 19th century British novels, the wealthy elite were referred to as “polite white society” or “white-gloved ladies/gentlemen.” Whiteness conveyed their historical power and position.
Black and White Imagery
In addition to deeper moral and historical symbolism, black and white are used aesthetically throughout literature. Writers employ them as stark visual contrasts to create dramatic imagery and underscore meaning.
For instance, William Shakespeare famously wrote in Sonnet 130, “If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun.” Here, he uses the whiteness of snow against the assumed darkness of his lover’s skin to create vivid contrast.
Likewise, in Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven, the black bird appears before the narrator at midnight in his shadowy chamber. The visual extremes highlight the eerie tone and atmosphere.
Conclusion
In summary, black and white have carried extensive symbolic connotations in literature across history. Writers utilize them to explore themes of morality, life and death, social hierarchies, and more. Their contrast creates dramatic tension and imagery. Whether as subtle undercurrents or stark divisions, these two colors leave an indelible imprint on storytelling.
