Individual Ways Of Creating Symbols

Abstract

A symbol is an object which conveys a meaning other than the object itself. Symbol, newlinealso called signifier, is separate from the meaning of the symbol, also called signified. The newlineresearch question of this thesis asks how collective symbols come about, noting that both newlineindividuals and collective existence can create collective symbols. A literature review newlinelooked at how collective existence constructs symbols and gives symbols meaning, power newlineand function. newlineCollective forces; especially social facts, can create symbols. Social facts are defined newlineby Durkheim as collective ways of acting, thinking and feeling . Social facts are reflected newlinein symbols. Secondly, a relationship between signifier and signified is collectively newlineestablished. Thirdly, symbols gain meanings from the stories in which symbols are newlineembedded. Fourthly, symbols appear to the individual mind to get a meaning. But symbols, newlineto be interpreted, need individuals. Thus, to understand how collective symbols are made; newlinewe have to look at how individuals give meaning to collective symbols, the basis of our newlineenquiry. newlineTo investigate how individuals make collective symbols, this thesis takes the case of newlineincumbent Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Damodardas Modi. We look at how Mr. newlineModi deliberately builds his own symbolism. To look at how Mr. Modi s symbolism is newlineinterpreted we have taken the case of political workers of Varanasi, Mr. Modi s current newlineparliamentary constituency. Three research questions were asked in the thesis. One, how newlineMr. Modi deliberately constructs his symbolism? Two, how political workers of Varanasi newlineconstruct Mr. Modi s symbolism? Three, how political workers of Varanasi counter Mr. newlineModi s symbolism? A methodology was used to answer the three research questions. newlineThe results revealed that Mr. Modi deliberately uses semiotic strategies to construct newlinehis own symbolism. How Mr. Modi gives a symbolic and imagist existence to himself newlinedefines his semiotic strategies . This research located twelve such semiotic strategies, newlinewhich were grou