IN ANNABEL LEE,” HOW DOES EDGAR ALLAN POE

USE FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE (SYMBOLISM

AND IMAGERY) TO DEVELOP THE THEME?

WHAT IS FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE?

v  Figurative language is when an author uses words or phrases that

go beyond the literal meaning of a word to give the reader new

insights into the text.

v Example: She is such a leech. (The literal meaning of this sentence

would be that she is like a leech, the blood-sucking worm, which is

also a parasite. A non-literal meaning of this would be that she uses

people.

WHAT IS FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE?

v There are several types of figurative language. Two examples are

symbolism and imagery:

v  Symbolism is when an author uses symbols (objects) to represent

ideas and qualities. •  Sometimes the symbol has a different meaning from its literal

meaning.

•  Actions, events or spoken words can also be symbolic.

SYMBOLISM

v  Some common symbols include: a dove representing peace or

black representing death.

v The cardinal is a symbol that represents Wooddale.

v A BMW is a symbol of wealth.

v An NBA/NFL career may represent a way out of poverty.

IMAGERY

v  Imagery is when the author uses words to appeal to a reader’s

senses. •  The children were hollering as they rode the rollercoaster. This

sentence appeals to the reader’s sense of hearing. •  The lemonade was warm and bitter. This appeals to the reader’s sense

of taste.

v  It’s also when an author uses literary devices such as similes,

metaphors, personification, and onomatopoeia to appeal to a reader’s

senses.

IMAGERY

v  Simile – When an author makes a comparison using like or as. Ex: He is as

ferocious as a lion. She eats like a bird.

v  Metaphor – When an author makes a comparison by saying one thing is another.

Ex: That test was a walk in the park. She is the sunshine in my life.

v  Personification – When an author gives human like qualities to an inanimate

object. The leaves danced in the wind. The light swallowed the darkness.

v  Onomatopoeia – When a word imitates the natural sound of something. Ex:

The buzzing bee flew back to the hive. He jumped into the pool with a splash.

(meow, moo, tweet, etc.)

DEFINITION OF DEVELOP AND THEME

v  www.dictionary.com defines develop as to bring out the capabilities of

possibilities of; to bring to a more advanced or effective state; to cause to

grow or expand; to elaborate or expand in detail.

v  theme – the theme refers to the central idea of the text or message the

author wishes to convey to the reader. It can also be the author’s view of

the world or an epiphany (revelation, light bulb moment, or aha moment)

about human nature. •  Ex: Hopelessness is a theme of “The Looking Glass.”

DETERMINING THE THEME

v  Summarize the plot or the events in the story. What happens in the

story?

v What did you learn from the characters?

v  Identify the types of characterization used in the story.

Characterization is how the author reveals the personality of a

character. •  Static – when a character does not change over the course of the text •  Dynamic – when a character changes over the course of the text

DIRECT/INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

v  Direct characterization (telling) – when the author directly tells the reader

about the personality of the character.

v  Ed Johnson scratched his head in confusion as the sales rep explained

Dell’s newest engine performance diagnostic computer. The old mechanic

hated modern electronics, preferring the old days when all he needed was a

stack of manuals and a good set of tools. (fictionfactor.com)

DIRECT/INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION

v  Indirect characterization (showing) – when the author shows things to

reveal the personality of the character through what the character is saying,

doing, feeling or thinking.

v  “That Ed Johnson,” said Anderson, watching the old mechanic scratch his

head in confusion as the sales rep explained Dell’s newest engine performance

diagnostic computer. “He hasn’t got a clue about modern electronics. Give him

a good set of tools and a stack of yellowing manuals with a carburetor needing

repair, and he’d be happy as a hungry frog in a fly-field.” (fictionfactor.com)

BREAK DOWN QUESTION

v What is the theme of Annabel Lee? What evidence do you have to

prove this? Explain.

v What symbolism is used in Annabel Lee? What evidence do you

have to prove this? How do these symbols help develop the theme?

v What imagery is used in Annabel Lee? What evidence do you have

to prove this? How does the imagery help develop the theme?