Which term describes the poetic device where an object represents a larger concept or idea?

The term that describes a poetic device where an object represents a larger concept or idea is symbolism. In literature and poetry, symbolism involves using specific items, characters, or images to signify deeper meanings that go beyond their literal sense. For instance, a rose might symbolize love, while a skull could represent death or mortality. This device allows writers to convey complex ideas and themes in a more impactful way, as the object serves as a tangible representation of abstract concepts, enabling readers to make connections between the text and broader societal, philosophical, or emotional ideas.

The other options do not hold the same definition: alliteration refers to the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words, imagery involves the creation of vivid sensory experiences through descriptive language, and personification attributes human characteristics to non-human entities. Each of these terms serves its own distinct function in poetry and literature, but they do not encapsulate the concept of representing broader ideas through objects like symbolism does.