1. Symbolism Lesson
Mrs Livaudais

2. Definition A symbol is an object that stands for a greater idea.
Example:
Sunrise symbolizes new beginnings
Cross symbolizes Christianity

3. Why Create Symbols?
You may ask why writers don’t just come right out and say what they mean.
Symbols allow writers to suggest layers and layers of meaning-possibilities that a simple, literal statement could never convey.
A symbol is like a pebble cast into a pond: It sends out ever widening ripples of meaning

4. Brainstorm ideas, feelings, or emotions associated with each color/item.
White 
Gold
Birds
Sunset
Midnight
What is a personal symbol for you? Draw your personal symbol and explain 
its significance in a few short sentences.

5. Nature Seasons Spring: birth, new beginning
Summer: maturity, knowledge
Autumn: decline, nearing death, growing old
Winter: death, sleep, hibernation, or stagnation
Christmas season: birth, change for the better
Easter season: rebirth, enlightenment
Light: truth, safety, warmth, knowledge
Darkness: evil, ignorance, danger

6. Miscellaneous Objects
Water : washes away guilt, origin of life, regeneration, vehicle of cleansing
River : fluidity of life, stream of life and death
Moon : changing and returning shape, feminine symbol
Sun : source of light, heat and life; a masculine symbol
Cavern : the maternal womb
Mountain : places where heaven and earth meet; stability, safety, often symbolic of human pride

7. Directions
East : land of birth or rebirth; of the Sun and Venus; it is associated with renewal, youth, feasting, song and love
North : is the side which lies on the sun’s right hand and lies on either side of life; it symbolizes night sky and night wind and is the home of the Moon and the Milky Way. North represents coldness, alienation, and hostility; it is the abode of death
South : is the side which lies on the Sun’s left hand and is the hand of fire; represents warmth and comfort
West : is the land of evening, old age, and the descending passage of the sun

8. Cindy stared out the broken window at the dark, gloomy clouds as her 
finger traced the single raindrop making its way down the glass while 
thinking about the argument she had with her boyfriend, Mike, which caused 
them to break-up.
1. What examples of symbolism can you identify in the passage above?
2. What are different meanings for the ideas identified?
3. Why did the consideration of the different meanings help you understand 
the writing?
4. What is the advantage of using symbols over just using the literal terms?

9. Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906)
              We Wear the Mask
    WE wear the mask that grins and lies,
    It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
    This debt we pay to human guile;
    With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
    And mouth with myriad subtleties.
    Why should the world be over-wise,
    In counting all our tears and sighs?
    Nay, let them only see us, while
            We wear the mask.
    We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
    To thee from tortured souls arise.
    We sing, but oh the clay is vile
    Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
            We wear the mask!
1. Identify a symbol used by the poet and explain the poet’s meaning in literal terms.
2. Why does the symbol have an advantage over literal terms?

10. William Blake.
The sick rose
O Rose, thou art sick!
The invisible worm
That flies in the night,
In the howling storm,
Has found out thy bed
Of crimson joy,
And his dark secret love
Discuss the symbolism of this poem and how it 
changes the meaning of the poem.