Transcript Symbolism - s3.amazonaws.com

Symbolism
Meanings beyond the obvious
A symbol is…
 A symbol is an image which suggests or represents
something other than itself.
 (In other words, when you use something tangible to
represent something intangible) .
We see symbols every day…
In literature, symbolism…
 creates a direct, meaningful link
between…
a specific object, scene, character, or action
and
abstract ideas, values, persons or ways of life.
In other words….
When you use something tangible to
represent something intangible
“But Ms. Potter I don’t know what those words
mean!”
Tangible vs. Intangible
Tangible
Intangible
Things that you can touch
Things you cannot touch
Flag
Autumn leaves
Eagle
Peace Sign
Wedding Band
Water
Flowers
Dove
Respect
Affection
Wishes
Romance
Disdain
Meaning
Happiness
Angst
Running
Ego
Similes can help
Use the simple simile method
Intangible (something you can’t touch)
“Is like a”
Tangible (something you can touch)
“Because”
If you can compare something you can’t touch
to something you can touch, you’ve just found
a symbol!
For Example!
 Love is like a blue stone because it is tough,
yet breakable at the same time, like a blue
stone. It is tough to love a blue stone
Intangible
Tangible
Let’s try a few….
Hate
Friendship
Envy
Commitment
Common Symbols
Let’s take a look at a few symbols that our
commonly found in literature
Symbolism
A river can represent the flow of
life…
… or its depth may represent
the unknown…
… the water might be purity…
… or there could be dangers
beneath the surface.
Symbolism
A walk into a tunnel – or change from
day to night – could show movement
from good to evil, or that something bad
is coming…
A storm at a
critical moment
can represent the
intense emotion
and trouble…
And dawn may show
the end of conflict, the
“start of a new day.”
Symbolism
In Poe’s “Telltale Heart,”
the sound of the beating
heart represents the
man’s guilt…
…a character’s
… and a character’s
appearance can be symbolic
– in Cask of Amontillado,
Fortunato wears a fool’s
costume – and he is, in fact,
a fool for trusting the
narrator.
name may tell you
something about
them, in “The
Lottery” Mr. Graves
has authority over
the killing…
HOW MANY SYMBOLS MEANINGS CAN YOU IDENTIFY?
HOW MANY SYMBOLISM COLOR MEANINGS CAN YOU
IDENTIFY?
Red
Green
White
Blue
Black
Practice…
 Read “Flowers” by Alice Walker
 Identify the symbolism
 Read “Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night"

"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost

"O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman
 Identify the symbolism
What kind of image would
symbolize you?
USING A LARGE NOTECARD, create a colorful
symbol that represents you and/or your ideals or
something about you.
Your card will be put on the bulletin board. Name on
front or back. Show your card to the teacher for
credit before stapling it to the board.