Download Symbolism

Symbolism
Meanings beyond the obvious
A symbol is…
an object that stands for itself and a
greater idea.
We see symbols every day…
 PART 1: HOW MANY SYMBOLS CAN YOU ASSOCIATE WITH
UNIVERSAL, ABSTRACT IDEAS OR VALUES??
 HINT: Don’t limit yourselves to objects, think also about shapes and colors or
just parts of a picture
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.
Symbolism is be used to…
 Provide meaning beyond the obvious:

Emphasize key ideas or themes:
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.

Draw attention to the plot:
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.”

And give insights into characters:
In Poe’s “Telltale Heart,”
the sound of the beating
heart represents the
man’s guilt…
…a character’s
name symbolizes
something about
him; in “The Lottery”
Mr. Graves has
… and a character’s
authority over the
appearance can be symbolic
killing…
of his personality. In “The
Cask of Amontillado,”
Fortunato wears a fool’s
costume – and he is, in fact,
a fool for trusting the
narrator.
How can you spot a symbol?
 There’s no one way, but some things to look
for are:

Colors or objects that are used __________:
if it’s mentioned often, it’s probably important

Unusual character __________

Objects / creatures that have __________
meanings (lions = strength, owls = wisdom,
etc.)
One warning…
 Many “symbols” are _________ interpretations –
and unintended by the author!
Consider this dialogue from Peanuts. Charlie Brown
has drawn something, and Lucy is seeing a symbol
that __________ :
Lucy:
Charlie Brown:
“Do you always
“No, I just don’t know
have the
how to draw hands.”
people’s hands
behind their
back to
symbolize your
shyness?”
So… don’t go crazy with this stuff! It’s all open to interpretation…
What do these images symbolize?
And these…
Symbolism
Meanings beyond ________________
A symbol is…
an object that __________ itself and
a __________
We see symbols every day…
 PART 1: HOW MANY SYMBOLS CAN YOU ASSOCIATE WITH
__________ ______________IDEAS OR VALUES??
 HINT: Don’t limit yourselves to objects, think also about shapes and colors or
just parts of a picture
In literature, symbolism…
 creates a direct, meaningful _____
between…
a __________ object, scene, character, or action
and
__________ , values, persons or ways of life.
Symbolism is be used to…
 Provide meaning beyond the __________ :

Emphasize key ideas or themes:
A river can __________ the
flow of life…
… or its __________ may
represent the unknown…
… the water might be purity…
… or there could be dangers
beneath the surface.

Draw attention to the __________ :
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 __________
the intense
emotion and
trouble…
And dawn may show
the end of conflict, the
“start of a new day.”

And give insights into characters:
In Poe’s “Telltale Heart,”
the sound of the beating
heart __________ the
man’s guilt…
…a character’s
__________
something about
him; in “The Lottery”
Mr. Graves has
… and a character’s
authority over the
appearance can be symbolic
killing…
of his ___________ – In
“The Cask of Amontillado,”
Fortunato wears a fool’s
costume – and he is, in fact,
a fool for trusting the
narrator.
How can you spot a symbol?
 There’s no one way, but some things to look
for are:



Colors or objects that are used repeatedly: if
it’s mentioned often, it’s probably important
Unusual character names
Objects / creatures that have cultural
meanings (lions = strength, owls = wisdom,
etc.)
One warning…
 Many “symbols” are personal interpretations – and
unintended by the author!
Consider this dialogue from Peanuts:
Lucy:
“Do you always
have the
people’s hands
behind their
back to
symbolize your
shyness?”
Charlie Brown:
“No, I just don’t know
how to draw hands.”
So… don’t go crazy with this stuff! It’s all open to interpretation…
What do these images symbolize?
And these…