[End of Section] A symbol is an ordinary object, event, person, or animal to which we have attached a special meaning. **What Is a Symbol?

Public symbols have been inherited, or handed down over time show up in art and literature Where Do We Get Symbols? are widely known Note

[End of Section] Invented symbols come about when writers make a character, object, or event stand for some human concern sometimes become well known and gain the status of public symbol Where Do We Get Symbols?

What might the cake symbolize in this passage? What is your emotional response to the description of the cake? Symbols in Literature Quick Check The most prominent object was a long table with a tablecloth spread on it.... An épergne or centrepiece of some kind was in the middle of this cloth; it was so heavily overhung with cobwebs that its form was quite undistinguishable;... I saw speckled-legged spiders with blotchy bodies running home to it, and running out from it.... “What do you think that is?” she asked me, again pointing with her stick; “that, where those cobwebs are?”... “It’s a great cake. A bride-cake. Mine!” from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens [End of Section]

lost love, disappointment, holding on to the past What might the cake symbolize in this passage? Symbols in Literature Quick Check The most prominent object was a long table with a tablecloth spread on it.... An épergne or centrepiece of some kind was in the middle of this cloth; it was so heavily overhung with cobwebs that its form was quite undistinguishable;... I saw speckled-legged spiders with blotchy bodies running home to it, and running out from it.... “What do you think that is?” she asked me, again pointing with her stick; “that, where those cobwebs are?”... “It’s a great cake. A bride-cake. Mine!” from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

It gives me the creeps. It makes me feel sorry for the woman. What is your emotional response to the description of the cake? Symbols in Literature Quick Check The most prominent object was a long table with a tablecloth spread on it.... An épergne or centrepiece of some kind was in the middle of this cloth; it was so heavily overhung with cobwebs that its form was quite undistinguishable;... I saw speckled-legged spiders with blotchy bodies running home to it, and running out from it.... “What do you think that is?” she asked me, again pointing with her stick; “that, where those cobwebs are?”... “It’s a great cake. A bride-cake. Mine!” from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Allegory—a story in which characters, setting, and actions stand for something beyond themselves, such as abstract ideas moral qualities historical figures or events **Allegory

Allegories can be read on two levels: literal and symbolicliteral and symbolic are often intended to teach a moral lesson or make a comment about goodness and vice **Allegory

What do you think Everyman, the main character of the allegory, stands for? What comment about fellowship, beauty, and strength does this allegory make? Allegory Quick Check One day, Everyman is summoned by Death to give an accounting of his life. Everyman ask his friends Fellowship, Beauty, Strength, and Good Deeds to go with him to tell Death that he has led a good life. Only Good Deeds stays with him to the end. —summary of “Everyman” [End of Section]

Everyman stands for every man (or woman). Allegory Quick Check One day, Everyman is summoned by Death to give an accounting of his life. Everyman ask his friends Fellowship, Beauty, Strength, and Good Deeds to go with him to tell Death that he has led a good life. Only Good Deeds stays with him to the end. —summary of “Everyman” What do you think Everyman, the main character of the allegory, stands for?

Fellowship, beauty, and strength are fleeting—they don’t stay with you to the end. Allegory Quick Check One day, Everyman is summoned by Death to give an accounting of his life. Everyman ask his friends Fellowship, Beauty, Strength, and Good Deeds to go with him to tell Death that he has led a good life. Only Good Deeds stays with him to the end. —summary of “Everyman” What comment about fellowship, beauty, and strength does this allegory make?

On a symbolic level, what does it mean that only Good Deeds stays with Everyman to the end? Allegory Quick Check One day, Everyman is summoned by Death to give an accounting of his life. Everyman ask his friends Fellowship, Beauty, Strength, and Good Deeds to go with him to tell Death that he has led a good life. Only Good Deeds stays with him to the end. —summary of “Everyman”

A person’s good deeds will indicate whether he or she has led a good life. Allegory Quick Check One day, Everyman is summoned by Death to give an accounting of his life. Everyman ask his friends Fellowship, Beauty, Strength, and Good Deeds to go with him to tell Death that he has led a good life. Only Good Deeds stays with him to the end. —summary of “Everyman” On a symbolic level, what does it mean that only Good Deeds stays with Everyman to the end?

**Allusion a reference in a literary work to a person, place, or thing in history or another work of literature. Allusions are often indirect or brief references to well-known characters or events. Specific examples of allusions can be found throughout Dante’s Inferno

Practice C. Here is a passage from Dante’s Inferno. What are the allusions? (hint: there are 2) With six eyes did he weep, and down three chins Trickled the tear-drops and the bloody drivel. At every mouth he with his teeth was crunching A sinner, in the manner of a rake, So that he three of them tormented thus. "That soul up there which has the greatest pain," The Master said, "is Judas Iscariot; With head inside, he plies his legs without. Of the two others, who head downward are, The one who hangs from the black jowl is Brutus; See how he writhes himself, and speaks no word.

Practice C. Here is a passage from Dante’s Inferno. What are the allusions? With six eyes did he weep, and down three chins Trickled the tear-drops and the bloody drivel. At every mouth he with his teeth was crunching A sinner, in the manner of a rake, So that he three of them tormented thus. "That soul up there which has the greatest pain," The Master said, "is Judas Iscariot; With head inside, he plies his legs without. Of the two others, who head downward are, The one who hangs from the black jowl is Brutus; See how he writhes himself, and speaks no word.

Where Do We Get Symbols? Note Different cultures may attach different meanings to some symbols. For example, the symbolic meanings of colors are not universal.

Literal meaning the story that takes place on the surface Symbolic, or allegorical, meaning the story that takes place beneath the surface uses interesting characters and plot to hold the reader’s attention uses characters and events to represent ideas such as love, freedom, evil, or goodness Allegory

Understanding Allegory Shel Silverstien’s Poetry

Poem #1 The Oak and the Rose What is the literal focus of the poem? What is happening in the poem? Where is there a shift(s) in tone? What tis the conclusion? How might this WHOLE poem be allegorical?

Interpretation The whole poem might symbolize one or two ideas: A relationship that “grew” apart Lines 1, 5, 6, and words such as “cry”, “screaming”, “no time”. The parting of childhood friends and loss of innocence Lines 1-6, and words such as “newer”, “grown”, and “young and green together”

Poem #2 The Bridge What is the literal focus of the poem? What is happening in the poem? Where is there a shift(s) in tone? What is the conclusion? How might this whole poem be allegorical?

Your turn! Tell us what you think the poem “The Bridge” might be an allegory for. Be sure to include specific line numbers and/or words.