An object that has its own meaning and represents something else as well

• A. Theme
• B. Allusion
• C. Plot
• D. Symbol

Answer: (D)

A symbol in literature is an object that has its own literal meaning in the story while also standing for something bigger than itself—an idea, quality, or concept that the author wants to convey.

This makes it different from a theme, which is the overarching idea or message of the work rather than a concrete thing in it; allusions are indirect references to other works or people, not objects within the story carrying extra meaning; and the plot is simply the sequence of events that unfold.

So an object that carries its own meaning and also represents something else is a symbol. For example, a rose might literally be a flower, but it often symbolizes love or beauty in a given context if it’s given special attention or repeated throughout the text.