How can you identify a symbol that an author uses in a story?

A. A symbol is always something concrete—like a bird or a whale or a ship—that is directly related to the main character.

B. A symbol is something big—like the sun, or a mountain, or a whale—that affects the main character.

C. A symbol is an ordinary object that takes on significance outside itself and stands for something greater.

D. A symbol is always something inanimate, like love, or joy, or hatred, or jealousy.