1. SYMBOLISM

2. Where Do We Get Symbols?
What does each of these symbols stand for? Why do you think they have taken on the meanings they have?
justice
love
luck 2

3. Symbols in Literature Writers use symbols to
suggest layers of meaning that a simple, literal statement could never convey
speak more powerfully to the reader’s emotions and imagination
make their stories rich and memorable
Symbols are inserted into writing to allude to a feeling, mood or attitude without directly sating the perspective or mood intended 3

4. What Is a Symbol?
A symbol is an ordinary object, event, person, or animal to which we have attached a special meaning. 4

5. What Is Symbolism in Literature?
Author uses an object or reference to add deeper meaning to a story.
Can be subtle or obvious
Can be used sparingly or heavy-handedly.
Same object may be used repeatedly to convey deeper meaning
Or, variations of the same object may be used to create an overarching mood or feeling.

6. What Are Some Examples of Symbolism?
Common Symbols in Literature
Damnation: Fire, flames, heat, hot temperatures
Salvation: Crosses, angels, haloes, clouds, churches
Reincarnation or Reinvention: Phoenix rising from flames, crosses, rainbows, passing storms, dawn, sunrise, broken chains
Death or Endings: Gravestones, cemeteries, Grim Reaper, Day of the Dead, skulls, candle blowing out, coffin, ringing of bell

7. THEME

8. What Is Theme?
What makes a story linger in our hearts and minds long after we’ve read it? Often it is the idea on which the story is built—its theme.

9. What Is Theme?
Theme—the central idea, or insight, about life or human behavior that a story reveals
Living a simple life leads to greater personal freedom.
The deepest loneliness is sometimes felt when we are among friends.
Genres

10. What Is Theme?
In most stories, the theme is not stated directly. Instead, it is revealed to us through the characters’ experiences.
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11. Finding the Theme
Keep the following guidelines in mind when you want to find and state the theme of a work.
The theme is not the same thing as the subject.
The subject is simply the topic. It can be stated in a single word, such as loyalty.
The theme makes some revelation about the subject and should be expressed in a sentence: “Loyalty to a leader is not always noble.”

12. Finding the Theme Conflict helps reveal theme.
What is the conflict, or struggle between opposing forces, that the main character faces?
How is the conflict resolved?
Conflict
Resolution
Theme
Two friends find a wallet. One friend wants to return it to the owner; the other wants to keep it.
They return the wallet and share a small reward.
People are often rewarded for making the right moral decision.

13. TONE

14. TONE
Tone is the AUTHOR’S attitude towards the audience, the subject, or the character.
*Tone is shown through
Dialogue - talking
Descriptions – author’s diction [word choice]

15. Words that describe TONE
Amused
Ironic
Sad
Angry
Light
Serious
Cheerful
Matter-of-fact
Sincere
Critical
Mocking
Suspicious
Clear
Resigned
Quizzical
Formal
Optimistic
Witty
Gloomy
Pessimistic
Humorous
Playful
Informal
Pompous

16. The TONE of the passage is _____________ The author’s _______________ relays the tone.
There is no one That can be better Because you are brilliant. There is nothing That you cannot you do Because you are unbeatable. There is no place That you cannot go Because you are always welcomed. There is no person That can hold you back Because you are unstoppable

17. The TONE of the passage is INSPIRING The author’s DESCRIPTIONS relay the tone.
There is no one That can be better Because you are brilliant. There is nothing That you cannot you do Because you are unbeatable. There is no place That you cannot go Because you are always welcomed. There is no person That can hold you back Because you are unstoppable

18. The TONE of the passage is ______________ The author’s _______________ relay the tone.
Lola sat on the old, lumpy couch crying. She could let it all out here, alone in her mother’s small, quiet apartment in Galesburg, Illinois. The familiar walls were covered in rose pink wallpaper. Goldie, her mother’s eleventh fish, seemed to stare sympathetically at Lola through the fishbowl sitting on the counter. The smell of her mother’s vanilla candles comforted her aching heart.

19. The TONE of the passage is SAD/HEART BROKEN The author’s DESCRIPTIONS relay the tone.
Lola sat on the old, lumpy couch crying. She could let it all out here, alone in her mother’s small, quiet apartment in Galesburg, Illinois. The familiar walls were covered in rose pink wallpaper. Goldie, her mother’s eleventh fish, seemed to stare sympathetically at Lola through the fishbowl sitting on the counter. The smell of her mother’s vanilla candles comforted her aching heart.