What is the term for a physical object in a story line that symbolizes who has the control or power? An example would be the chess piece that went back and forth between the two main characters in the movie Count of Monte Cristo.
Merlor, I regret that I do not have the answer to your question. I just wanted to say "Hi and welcome to the board." Now you have me wondering and that's a good thing
. I'm sure someone will be along shortly with the answer.
I would say that in life, a "token" satisfies your definition. From
http://onlinedictionary.datasegment.com/word/token:
In reply to:
Something given or shown as a symbol or guarantee of authority or right; a sign of authenticity, of power, good faith, etc. Say, by this token, I desire his company. --Shak.
As far as creative writing, if there is a special term for using a token in the plot, I don't know.
Don't think I've got any exact answer either, but a diadem is a sign of (royal) power, or a crown worn to show that power. One can also be 'diademed', as funny as that may sound.
An emblem of power is perhaps a more straight forward way of putting things though.
BTW, welcome.
Oh yes, merlor, welcome to our board. Even though you are a stranger please don't be one for long. Tell us a little of yourself, or like the Count of Montecristo, do you have a secret identity?
I have a funny (at my expense) anecdote regarding "The Count of Montecristo." When I was a freshman in college I took a theatre class that was taught by a gay man in his 50s. One day in making a reference to that novel, I misspoke and called it "The Count of Monte Crisco." Everyone in the class snickered at my malapropism (or was it a spoonerism?), but the professor didn't crack a smile as he said "Well Alex, it's actually the Count of Montecristo, but Monte Crisco sure does sound interesting." There were peals of laughter and I was teased about it rather mercilessly for the entire semester.
could it be a talisman?
From the arabic, tilasm, a magic figure--
a talisman could be something as simple as rabbits foot, (not to lucky for the rabbit is it)
or a sceptor?(ooh, that's an old one.. from the IE root of (s)kep*--> meaning shaft) a rod or shaft that is a symbol of sovereighty-- classicly, of course, the pen is a mightier sceptor than the sword
Dear Alex: sounds like your gay prof liked his friends to have fat in the can.
A search for "symbols of temporal power" yielded many sites. Crown jewels, sceptre, and crown.
Restraint. That's an abstract symbol of power.
Or the conch in Lord of the Flies. The word may have come up when we discussed that book, but since I hated that teacher, I probably purposely forgot everything she taught us. Including such a potentially useful word.
How about motif, totem, or indeed simply symbol?
alexis
The policeman's badge, the military officer's insignia of rank.
Welcome, merlor!
You might be thinking of the
fasces, the bundle of rods with an embedded axe, that the Romans would carry at the head of a parade. It has been a symbol of power and authority, appearing on coins and flags down through the ages, including the liberty-head dime. More about it here:
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/fasces.html#usa
Merlor! Great question...