1. What is Symbolism?

2. Symbolism is a concrete object that represents an idea (one thing that stands for something else). The symbol for peace The symbol for justice The symbol for authority or status

3. Symbols are common in everyday life. What are some other everyday symbols?

4. The pioneer family members piled into the wagon and traveled to the new land out west. Grandfather held the family together. He hunted, found water, and protected them. Everyone agreed Grandfather was a rock. The rock symbolizes: a.Rough exterior b.Rugged good looks c.Strength and determination d.Difficult personality

5. C. Strength and determination

6. Anubis Lorenzo Thomas A tiger stripped of passion Is not equal to a dove. The jackal is a sentry in his greed. A lamp beneath a mountain is a hieroglyph for love A man should never want less than he need. In this poem the tiger symbolizes: a.A striped cat found in Asia b.A person who is fierce c.A great hunter of doves d.A tribesman

7. B. A fierce person

8. Mother to Son Well son, I’ll tell you; Life ain’t been no crystal stair. It had tacks in it, and splinters, and torn-up boards. And places with no carpet on the floor. But all the time, I’ve been climbin’ on And reachin’ landin’s and turnin’ corners And sometimes goin’ in the dark Where there ain’t no light

9. So boy, don’t you turn back, Don’t you set down on the steps ‘Cause you find it’s kinder hard; Don’t you fall now— For I’se still goin’, honey, I’s still climbin’ And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

10. A stair can symbolize: A way to reach a goal A difficult journey toward something A transition between two points in life

11. Now look at the other lines of the poem and find word(s) that show symbolism: “It had tacks, and splinters, and boards torn up. And places with no carpet on the floor….” But all the time I’se been a-climbin’ on, And reachin’ landin’s, and turnin’ corners, And sometimes goin’ in the dark So boy, don’t you turn back Don’t you set down on the steps ‘Cause you find it’s kinder hard. Don’t you fall now….”

12. Write the meaning of what each underlined word(s) could symbolize in the poem. (Let’s look back at the poem).

13. “It’s had tacks in it, and splinters And boards torn up. And places with no carpet on the floor. And all the time I’se been climbin’ on And reachin’ landin’s, and turnin’ corners And sometimes goin’ in the dark So boy, don’t you turn back, Don’t you set down on the steps ‘Cause you find it’s kinder hard. Don’t you fall now…. “

14. Symbols from poem: tacks = splinters = boards torn up = places with no carpet on the floor = reachin’ landin’s = turnin’ corners = goin’ in the dark = Don’t you set down on the steps = Don’t you fall now =

15. Symbols in Novels Name at least one symbol for each of the novels we have read this year: –Maniac Magee –Number the Stars –Letters from Rifka –Bud, Not Buddy

16. How many examples of symbolism can you name from the choice novel you are reading so far (Holes, Don’t Look Behind You, Tuck Everlasting, The Forgotten Door)? Make a list of your ideas.