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 authority over the killing… … and a character’s appearance can be symbolic 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: “Do you always have the people’s hands behind their back to symbolize your shyness?” So… don’t go crazy with this stuff! It’s all open to interpretation… Charlie Brown: “No, I just don’t know how to draw hands.”

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 authority over the killing… … and a character’s appearance can be symbolic 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?” So… don’t go crazy with this stuff! It’s all open to interpretation… Charlie Brown: “No, I just don’t know how to draw hands.”

What do these images symbolize?

And these…