What term describes the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities in literature?

The term that accurately describes the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities in literature is symbolism. Symbolism involves the employment of symbols—objects, figures, or colors—that represent larger concepts or ideas beyond their literal meanings. For instance, a dove often symbolizes peace, while a red rose may symbolize love. In literature, symbolism allows for deeper meaning and connects readers emotionally and intellectually with the themes being explored.

Imagery refers to descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating vivid pictures in the reader's mind, but it does not necessarily involve the symbolic representation of ideas. Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as," which conveys meaning through comparison rather than through symbolism. Allusion, on the other hand, is a reference to another work, person, or event, which enriches the text but does not inherently involve the use of symbols in the same way. These distinctions clarify why symbolism is the most fitting term for the use of symbols in literature to convey ideas and qualities.