Essential Question

How do I interpret symbolism?

Symbolism

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

Copy: A symbol is an image which suggests or represents something other than itself.

In literature, symbolism…

creates a direct, meaningful link between…

a specific object, scene, character, or action

and

abstract ideas, values, persons or ways of life.

In other words….

When you use something tangible to represent something intangible

“But Mrs. Dunn, I don’t know what those words mean!”

Tangible vs. Intangible

TangibleTangibleThings that you can touchThings that you can touch

FlagFlag

Autumn leavesAutumn leaves

EagleEagle

Peace SignPeace Sign

Wedding BandWedding Band

WaterWater

FlowersFlowers

DoveDove

IntangibleThings you cannot touchThings you cannot touch

RespectAffectionWishes

RomanceDisdainMeaning

HappinessAngst

RunningEgo

Similes can help

Use the simple simile method

Intangible (something you can’t touch) “Is like a”

Tangible (something you can touch) “Because”

If you can compare something you can’t touch to something you can touch, you’ve just found

a symbol!

For Example!

Love is like a blue stone because it is tough, yet breakable at the same time, like a blue stone. It is tough to love a blue stone

Intangible Tangible

Let’s try a few….

Hate is like a

Friendship

Envy

Commitment

Common Symbols

Let’s take a look at a few symbols that our commonly found in literature

Symbolism

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.

Symbolism

A walk into a tunnel – or change from day to night – could show movement from good to evil, or that something bad is coming…

A storm can represent the intense emotion and trouble…

And dawn may show the end of conflict, the “start of a new day.”

Symbolism

In Poe’s “Tell-tale Heart,” the sound of the beating heart represents the man’s guilt…

…a character’s name may tell you something about them.

… and a character’s appearance can be symbolic

HOW MANY SYMBOLS MEANINGS CAN YOU IDENTIFY?

HOW MANY SYMBOLISM COLOR MEANINGS CAN YOU IDENTIFY?

Red

White

Green

Black

Homework: What kind of image would symbolize you?

Create a colorful symbol that

represents you and/or your

ideals or something about you.

Symbols in “A Mystery of Heroism”

Tangible “Meadow” on p. 50

Destruction of the meadow on p. 51

“…angel of the calamity…” p. 52

“white legs” p. 52

Intangible

Independent Work

Write an essay analyzing how

the author uses symbolism in

“A Mystery of Heroism.”

Closing Activity: True or FalseThe meadow symbolizes the time before the war.

TRUE

You cannot see tangible objects.

FALSE

Symbols represent something else.

TRUE

A dove symbolizes the goodness of birds.

FALSE