Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors
used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.
Chocolate Factory
The chocolate factory is the physical embodiment of the
difference between poverty and wealth. Charlie’s poverty-stricken
home stands in the shadow of the behemoth chocolate factory, which
is filled with untold riches. The chocolate factory also represents
the idea that things cannot be fairly judged from an outside perspective. It
seems enormous from the outside, but its true glories lie below ground,
where they cannot be seen without a closer look.
Golden Ticket
Like the chocolate factory, the golden ticket is a physical
manifestation of the difference between poverty and wealth. Finding
the golden ticket allows Charlie to live his dream. As its name
indicates, the golden ticket is made entirely of gold. It is the
most valuable thing Charlie has ever touched. But it also represents
a leveling of the playing field between the rich and the poor. Charlie
has just as much chance as anyone else to find a ticket. The ticket
represents hope.
Glass Elevator
For Charlie, the great glass elevator represents his future.
The elevator allows Charlie to see the world laid out before him.
But before Charlie can reach that point of clarity, he must trust
the elevator and remain willing to ride on through all of the turbulence
and frightening times. Once Charlie can accept uncertainty as part
of his future, the elevator takes him to the place where his future
is at hand. Once there, Charlie must be brave enough to stand on
uncertain ground and seize his own fortune.
