1. Symbols
Monday, September 13, 2010

2. What are symbols?
A symbol is a person, place or object that stands for something else.
The significance of the symbol depends upon the character or person reading/viewing it.

3. Symbols in Literature Symbols help explain the writer’s purpose.
Symbols help you understand the story in a deeper way.
Symbols can represent people, problems or even solutions to problems.
What does the yellow piece of paper represent in “The Contents of a Dead Man’s Pocket”?

4. Symbols in Literature
Symbols make the story more interesting – makes you think.
The seven rooms in “The Masque of the Red Death”
How does this symbol “back-up” the story’s main theme?

5. Tricks to Finding Symbols
Look at the title…
“The Tortoise and the Hare”
“The Masque of the Red Death”
“Through the Tunnel”
Study the main characters…
Pay attention to objects or “issues” that are described in detail.

6. Symbols & Themes Symbols are used to “back-up” a story’s theme.
Some stories have a single symbol directly related to the main theme.
Some stories have many symbols that directly or indirectly relate to a theme.

7. Like the Sun by R.K. Narayan
We will read “Like the Sun” in your literature
book (p ).
What is the symbol?
How did you know?
How does the symbol relate to the theme?