Final answer:
Symbols in a literary work are usually deeply connected to the work's themes, as they often appear as motifs that draw attention to a theme through repetition. By examining what a motif symbolizes, we can find the possible themes of a story.
Step-by-step explanation:
Symbols in a literary work are usually deeply connected to the work's themes. Symbols often appear as motifs, which are recurring elements in a story that draw attention to a theme through repetition. These motifs can be symbolic and represent various aspects of the story, such as a character's childhood or a significant event.
By examining what a motif symbolizes, we can extrapolate the possible themes of a story. For example, if a story consistently uses a park to represent a character's childhood, and later shows the park being replaced by a housing complex, we can draw conclusions about the story's themes of childhood and the transition to adulthood.