Understanding SymbolsUnderstanding Symbols

What is a symbol?What is a symbol?

• somethingsomething used for or regarded as used for or regarded as representing something elserepresenting something else; a ; a material object representing material object representing something, often something, often something something immaterialimmaterial or abstract (such as a or abstract (such as a ambition, superstition, or death); ambition, superstition, or death); emblem, token, or sign. emblem, token, or sign.

SymbolSymbol--nn. . A concrete object, person, A concrete object, person, or place that also represents an or place that also represents an

abstract ideaabstract idea..

Ex: Dove = peaceEx: Dove = peace Ex: American flag = Ex: American flag = freedom or USA freedom or USA

What clues can help you find What clues can help you find symbols?symbols?

• RepetitionRepetition

• Especially detailed descriptionsEspecially detailed descriptions

• Importance to a character or the storyImportance to a character or the story

• Universal symbol (flag, olive branch, Universal symbol (flag, olive branch, etc.)etc.)

• The title?The title?

• Your gut!Your gut!

What might this image What might this image symbolize?symbolize?

• Teamwork?Teamwork?

• Slavery?Slavery?

• How can you tell?How can you tell?

How can you tell what this How can you tell what this symbolizes?symbolizes?

Look to the text!!!Look to the text!!!• How does the author describe it?How does the author describe it?

• Does it have a physical use in the Does it have a physical use in the story?story?

• What’s the author’s tone toward it?What’s the author’s tone toward it?

• How do characters interact with it?How do characters interact with it?

• Does it change? How?Does it change? How?

• How does it affect the story and/or How does it affect the story and/or characters?characters?

Important Symbols:Important Symbols:

• What are some of What are some of the the objects / objects / actions/ events / actions/ events / characterscharacters that that might be symbolic might be symbolic in our current in our current novel?novel?

• What might these What might these objects / actions objects / actions events / characters events / characters symbolize? Do they symbolize? Do they express an idea, express an idea, clarify meaning, or clarify meaning, or enlarge literal enlarge literal meaning?meaning?

Make a 2-Column Note Make a 2-Column Note Chart for the most Chart for the most important symbols…important symbols…• Create a 2-Column Create a 2-Column

Note Chart (for at Note Chart (for at least THREE items least THREE items right now) that you right now) that you will add to as you will add to as you read.read.

• Head one column Head one column ““SymbolSymbol” and the ” and the other column other column ““What idea is being What idea is being expressed, what expressed, what meaning is being meaning is being clarified or what clarified or what literal idea is being literal idea is being enlarged?enlarged?””

Start with “Start with “MiceMice””

• What does a What does a mouse or mice mouse or mice symbolize in the symbolize in the novel?novel?

• How do you know How do you know this? Evidence this? Evidence from the text? How from the text? How is it depicted / used is it depicted / used within the novel? within the novel? What characters is What characters is it connected to and it connected to and why?why?