Which statement about symbolism best captures its function in literature?

Which statement about symbolism best captures its function in literature?

• A. Symbolism relies on direct statements from narrators about themes.
• B. Symbolism is the substitution of one character type for another without symbolic meaning.
• C. Symbolism uses events to represent larger ideas but only on a single level.
• D. Symbolism uses objects/events to represent larger ideas beyond literal level; multiple layers can express complex themes.

Answer: (D)