Which term refers to something that has meaning in itself and also represents another thing as well?

• A. Symbol
• B. Metaphor
• C. Allegory
• D. Image

Answer: (A)

Symbol refers to something that has meaning in itself and also represents something beyond itself. In literature, a symbol works on two levels: the concrete thing itself and a larger idea it stands for, such as a dove embodying peace. The other terms don’t capture this dual function. A metaphor is a direct comparison, not a thing that carries its own separate meaning. An allegory is a whole narrative where characters and events symbolize a broader moral or political message, which isn’t the single-object dual meaning described here. An image is a visual or sensory impression and may be symbolic, but it doesn’t inherently denote the two-level significance that defines a symbol.