LITERARY TERMS: SYMBOLISMANDALLEGORY

SYMBOLISM SYMBOL: an object that stands for itself and a greater idea; it creates a direct, meaningful link between… SYMBOL: an object that stands for itself and a greater idea; it creates a direct, meaningful link between… a specific object, scene, character, or action a specific object, scene, character, or action (AND) (AND) abstract ideas, values, persons or ways of life. abstract ideas, values, persons or ways of life. (A SIGN is different because it is an object that is taken literally, while a SYMBOL can be taken both literally and figuratively)

INTERPRETING SYMBOLS A symbol can have a variety meanings… 1. PERSONAL: a meaning uniquely associated with our experiences 2. CONTEXTUAL: a private meaning created by an author 3. CULTURAL: a meaning uniquely influenced by our current culture (ex: dogs represent faithfulness in China, but impurity in Indian/South Asian cultures)

…and… …and… 4. UNIVERSAL: a meaning that is given to a thing by most people and cultures (ex: lions suggest deity, power and courage in many cultures) NOTE: these may be hard to discern because in order to discover these, you have to put aside your own personal and cultural lenses

On INTERPRETATION: A piece of writing will always mean more than a writer intended because of personal associations. You may not understand all of the contextual symbols an author uses, but might get meaning out of something the author never planned. A piece of writing will always mean more than a writer intended because of personal associations. You may not understand all of the contextual symbols an author uses, but might get meaning out of something the author never planned. We can derive meaning from the symbol itself, but can also make inferences based on how a universal symbol is exhibited or used. (ex: Universally, water represents life and purity, so how we might interpret the use of a we might interpret the use of a Polluted river in a story?) Polluted river in a story?)

PART 1: HOW MANY SYMBOLS CAN YOU ASSOCIATE WITH UNIVERSAL, ABSTRACT IDEAS OR VALUES?? 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 Write down or draw the symbol and write its meaning

FROM SYMBOLS TO SYMBOLISM (SYMBOLISM is simply the use of symbols in art or literature.) PART 2: “I DREAMT A DREAM…” Dreams are often full of strange events and objects that can be symbolic in nature. In fact, there is tons of literature out there that interprets dreams by putting universal meanings to these unexplainable things. Your assignment is to take as many objects/symbols you discovered in “PART 1” and use them in a narrated dream-sequence. Keep in mind that dreams do not interpret themselves; they are mysterious and abstract. Your job is to create a dream in all its weirdness; however, it needs to start with a chronological sequence of events that can include your symbols along the way. It should be at least a half- page long, and no longer than a page. When we’re done, let’s see if we can’t interpret each other’s strange night-time visions…

8 Interpret the Dream Swap papers with another group Read their dream Write a short description of the dream’s meaning at the bottom of the paper based on the symbols that they used. Share with the class 8

ALLEGORY… …a complete and self-contained narrative that can also be applied to a parallel set of external situations which may be political, moral, religious or philosophical. In other words, it tells a real story and a symbolic story simultaneously. Like symbols, allegories can be personal, contextual, cultural and universal.

10 Allegory Characters in an allegory might even have names that describe what they symbolize: Ignorance, Mr. Worldly Wiseman, Little- Faith, Mrs. Bubble. Fables - a type of allegory where animal characters symbolize vices and virtues and act out a story in order to teach a practical lesson about how to succeed in life. 10

11 Allegory Parable - a brief story that is set in the ordinary everyday world and told to teach a lesson about ethics or morality. 11

WHAT’S IT LOOK LIKE?? You may recognize the… …PARABLE: a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson. OR other familiar stories like… The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Tolkien The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Tolkien The NARNIA series, C.S. Lewis The NARNIA series, C.S. Lewis The Divine Comedy, Dante The Divine Comedy, Dante Animal Farm Animal Farm AND very soon in your future… “Masque of the Red Death” “Masque of the Red Death”

SYMBOLISM AND ALLEGORY are MODES that expand meaning. Can you identify any use of these “modes” in the literature you’ve read so far in school?

14 Practice with a Parable The Good Samaritan Bible - New Testament Jesus often used parables to explain Biblical truths, principles, or beliefs. 14

15 Luke 10:25-37 New International Version (NIV) The Parable of the Good Samaritan 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ [a] ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [b] ” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

16 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii [c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

17 Skit Watch the skit to help you further understand the parable. Actors, please bring your script with you, and go to your starting place. 17

18 What was the moral of the story? 1. What was the question the man asked Jesus? 2. How is the question answered? 3. Why do you think Jesus answered the question in that way? 4. How is this parable an allegory? Periods 2,5,6,7 Answer on Edmodo Periods 3,4 - Answer in groups 18

19 Bonus What was the moral of the story? 19

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