Bell Ringer  In your journal, please list (or draw) all the emoticons you can.

Symbolism in Poetry Question of the Day: How does a reader interpret symbolism in poetry?

Activator  On the next slide we will look at three different pictures.  What do these pictures represent, or symbolize? You will need to THINK!!!

Activator What does this symbolize? And this?

Think About It  What are some other concepts or ideas that could easily be represented by a symbol?

What is Symbolism?  A symbol is something that stands for itself, but also something larger than itself. It may be a person, an animal, an inanimate object, or an action.

What is Symbolism? A writer often uses a concrete object to express an abstract idea, a quality, or a belief. A symbol may appeal to a reader's emotions and can provide a way to express an idea, communicate a message, or clarify meaning.

What is Symbolism? A conventional symbol is one that is widely accepted and used by many writers; for example, a the color white is a symbol for hope, a dove for peace, a rose for love and beauty, spring for life, and winter for death.

What is Symbolism? A private symbol is one that an individual writer creates for a particular work of literature.

Strategies for Identifying Symbolism  First, ask these two questions: "Is some person, place, animal, object, or action emphasized in the work? ” “ Is that person, place, animal, object, or action repeatedly mentioned to the point that it seems to mean more that itself? ”  If so, “ What else could it stand for besides itself? ”

Think About It  How do I identify symbolism in a text?

Let’s Practice! Using your notes and what you know, let ’ s decide what symbolism these pieces of writing have.

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN by Robert Frost ( ) T wo roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,

THE ROAD NOT TAKEN by Robert Frost ( ) And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

As a Group… What is the symbolism in this poem? Justify your answer. Is this a conventional or private symbol?

The Lightning is a Yellow Fork Emily Dickinson The Lightning is a yellow Fork From Tables in the sky By inadvertent fingers dropt The awful Cutlery Of mansions never quite disclosed And never quite concealed The Apparatus of the Dark To ignorance revealed.

In Pairs…. What is the symbolism in this poem? Justify your answer. Is this a conventional or private symbol?

POWER QUESTIONS

Power Questions 1. Which words from the poem best describe a symbolic meaning of the clay? A.No directions B.Silent hands C.unshaped dreams D.lacking ambition

Power Questions 1. Which words from the poem best describe a symbolic meaning of the clay? A.No directions B.Silent hands C.unshaped dreams D.lacking ambition

Power Questions-Read “ Running Rapids ” 2. Which action described in the story symbolizes Zachary's growing up? A. He and his father worked feverishly together to steer the canoe. B. Zachary was startled into action. C. He changed seats with his father and gripped the paddle confidently. D. Zachary kept alert and soon got the feel of the canoe.

Power Questions-Read “ Running Rapids ” 2. Which action described in the story symbolizes Zachary's growing up? A. He and his father worked feverishly together to steer the canoe. B. Zachary was startled into action. C. He changed seats with his father and gripped the paddle confidently. D. Zachary kept alert and soon got the feel of the canoe.

Summarizer  List three conventional symbols List two private symbols List one way to identify a symbol

Assignment  Write a 6-8 line poem that has symbolism in it. It doesn ’ t have to rhyme, though it can have any rhyme scheme.