Symbolism and Characterization In Books Many authors have used the two methods of symbolism and characterization to reveal a fundamental message in their books. Joseph Conrad, author of The Secret Sharer, used these two methods in order to communicate the message that a man must know himself completely, and have no doubts about his thoughts and abilities before he can really succeed. The primary method, which the author uses to reveal his underlying message, is characterization. Characterization shows that Leggatt is not a true human being, but actually the repressed side of the Captain. Without Leggatt,