Symbolism in narration enables audience to relate to the story with their personal contexts in life, while Leitmotif helps them to get reiterated and reminded of the important facets of the story, rendering utmost clarity and by adding effectiveness through immersive narration. “In literature, symbolism is the use of a concrete image to represent an abstract idea” Sean Glatch (2022). Audiences get construed by symbols, as they create images whose figurative meaning is much deeper than their literal one. It is an object, often ordinary thereby common to all to cling onto the narrative, that has been imbued with extraordinary significance on the minds of audiences. “Symbolism exists to adorn and enrich, not to create an artificial sense of profundity”, said Stephen King (2000). Leitmotif as narrative techniques allows actors to build continuity in the story. They can be used to create interest or help to guide the audience's emotions in whichever direction you want. The main goal of a recurring theme is to create unforgettable episodes in story that elevate the film towards becoming a cinematic buzz. “Imagination leads to reality, everything lasts and lives inner necessity, has its own external nature’s reality”, Richard Wagner wrote firstly about use of leitmotif in his “Der Ring des Nibelungen” (1876). Indian fiction written in English as a true reflection of society for awareness, contributed for social change. Especially the works that have been adapted to screen have been popularizing such narratives consistently and for good by using usual yet vehement literary devices like ‘symbolism’ and ‘leitmotif’. This paper touches upon such popular works of fiction with a focus on Ruth Prawar Jhabvala’s “Heat and Dust” as an initiator of such truthful portrayal of socially realistic drama both in the modern writing of fiction and film making.

Symbolism, Leitmotif, Semiotics, Adaptation