1. Attention: I have almost no voice, so: Get one of each of the handouts
Don’t write on the cartoons
You need your journal

2. Going beyond the literal
Symbolism
Going beyond the literal

3. A symbol is… an object that stands for itself and a greater idea.
We see symbols every day…

5. Authors use symbols to add deeper meaning to a story
Why Use Symbolism?
Authors use symbols to add deeper meaning to a story
Some are obvious
Others are more subtle

6. Symbolism in Literature
The practice or art of using an object or a word to represent an abstract idea.
Symbols can be:
An action
person
place
object
When an author wants to suggest a certain mood or emotion, symbolism can be used to hint at it, rather than just blatantly saying it.

7. Actions as symbols Pontius Pilate symbolically washing his guilt away
Frodo throwing the ring into the fires of Mordor = destroying evil power

8. Characters as Symbols The Ugly Duckling
The duckling = the human condition
Their Eyes Were Watching God:
Janie = all women or feminine power

9. Objects as Symbols
A Chain
Connection
Bondage

10. Objects as symbols The American flag Real object
Symbol for United States
Represents:
Freedom
The nation as a whole

11. Setting as symbols Symbolism is used to…
A river can represent the flow of life…
… or its depth may represent the unknown…
… the water might be purity…
… or there could be dangers beneath the surface.

12. Setting As Symbols
* Dawn may show the end of conflict, the “start of a new day.”
A storm occurring when there is a conflict or high emotions
Transition from day to night might = move from goodness to evil

13. Examples From Literature
Harry Potter (lots of symbolism)
A snake represents ___________!
It is no coincidence then that the symbol of Slytherin House is a serpent.

14. Star Wars
Light Sabers
Good and Evil is represented by color; blue being the light side and red the dark side

15. Lord of the Rings
Ring represents the power of good and evil

16. How can you spot a symbol?
Other things to look for:
Unusual character names – “Rumblebuffin”
Rumble: fight
Buffin: sounds like buffer, Something that comes between
Even a hairstyle might mean something important in the context of the book, as does Janie’s hair in Their Eyes Were Watching God.

17. How can you spot a symbol?
Some things to look for: Colors or objects
A dagger might mean danger or protection
The color red might indicate passion
Certain animals might represent wisdom, or loyalty or cowardice

18. Journal Entry 29
Look at the race car and the Zebra in AoRitR. What do you think each of them represent and why?