LITERARY TERMS:LITERARY TERMS:

SYMBOLISM SYMBOLISM AND AND

ALLEGORYALLEGORY

SYMBOLISMSYMBOLISM SYMBOL: an object that stands for SYMBOL: an object that stands for

itself itself andand a greater idea; a greater idea; it creates a direct, meaningful it creates a direct, meaningful linklink

between…between… a specific object, scene, character, or a specific object, scene, character, or

actionaction (AND) (AND)

abstract ideas, values, or ways of life.abstract ideas, values, or ways of life.

INTERPRETING SYMBOLSINTERPRETING SYMBOLS

A symbol can have a variety meanings…A symbol can have a variety meanings…1.1. PERSONALPERSONAL: a meaning uniquely associated : a meaning uniquely associated

with our experienceswith our experiences2.2. CONTEXTUALCONTEXTUAL: a private meaning created : a private meaning created

by an authorby an author3.3. CULTURALCULTURAL: a meaning uniquely influenced : a meaning uniquely influenced

by our current cultureby our current culture(ex: dogs represent (ex: dogs represent faithfulnessfaithfulness in China, in China, but but impurityimpurity in Indian/South Asian cultures) in Indian/South Asian cultures)

4.4. UNIVERSALUNIVERSAL: a meaning that is given to a : a meaning that is given to a thing by most people and culturesthing by most people and cultures(ex: lions suggest deity, power and (ex: lions suggest deity, power and courage in many cultures) courage in many cultures)

NOTE: these may be hard to discern because in order to discover these, NOTE: these may be hard to discern because in order to discover these, you have to put aside your own personal and cultural lensesyou have to put aside your own personal and cultural lenses

INTERPRETATION of SYMBOLS: INTERPRETATION of SYMBOLS: Combines 2 aspectsCombines 2 aspects

1.1. LINK between SYMBOL and MEANINGLINK between SYMBOL and MEANING2.2. Use of the symbol in the textUse of the symbol in the text

We make inferences based on how a We make inferences based on how a universal symbol is exhibited or used. universal symbol is exhibited or used.

ex: Universally, water represents life and ex: Universally, water represents life and purity, so how might we interpret the use purity, so how might we interpret the use of a of a Polluted riverPolluted river in a story? in a story?

polluted river = water is impure/taintedpolluted river = water is impure/tainted Life and purity = tainted/corruptedLife and purity = tainted/corrupted

PART 1: HOW MANY SYMBOLS CAN YOU ASSOCIATE WITHPART 1: HOW MANY SYMBOLS CAN YOU ASSOCIATE WITH UNIVERSALUNIVERSAL, , ABSTRACTABSTRACT IDEAS OR VALUES??IDEAS OR VALUES??

HINT: Don’t limit yourselves to objects, think also about shapes and colors or just HINT: Don’t limit yourselves to objects, think also about shapes and colors or just partsparts of of a picturea picture

Common SymbolsCommon Symbols dove: peacedove: peace springspring: youth, birth, life: youth, birth, life waterwater: birth, rebirth: birth, rebirth eagleeagle: freedom, liberty, strength: freedom, liberty, strength winterwinter: death, dying, old age: death, dying, old age skull: deathskull: death roserose: love, beauty: love, beauty crowncrown: wealth, royalty: wealth, royalty wedding ring: love, commitmentwedding ring: love, commitment cross bones: death, dangercross bones: death, danger sunrisesunrise: new start, beginning: new start, beginning full moon: danger, weirdnessfull moon: danger, weirdness autumnautumn: middle age, maturity: middle age, maturity

ALLEGORY…ALLEGORY………a complete and self-contained narrative a complete and self-contained narrative

that can also be applied to a parallel set that can also be applied to a parallel set of external situations which may be of external situations which may be political, moral, religious or philosophical. political, moral, religious or philosophical.

In other words, it tells a real story and a symbolic In other words, it tells a real story and a symbolic story simultaneouslystory simultaneously..

Like symbols, allegories can be personal, Like symbols, allegories can be personal, contextual, cultural and universal.contextual, cultural and universal.

WHAT’S IT LOOK LIKE??WHAT’S IT LOOK LIKE??Familiar allegories…Familiar allegories… Alice in WonderlandAlice in Wonderland, , Lewis CarrollLewis Carroll The NARNIA series, The NARNIA series, C.S. LewisC.S. Lewis Animal FarmAnimal Farm, , George OrwellGeorge Orwell The Butter Battle BookThe Butter Battle Book, , Dr. SeussDr. Seuss Fahrenheit 451Fahrenheit 451, , Ray BradburyRay Bradbury

Juxtaposition = placement of two things Juxtaposition = placement of two things next to or near each other, often to next to or near each other, often to draw attention to a comparison or draw attention to a comparison or contrastcontrast

Dichotomy = division into two (often Dichotomy = division into two (often contradictory) elements, categories, or contradictory) elements, categories, or opinionsopinions

SYMBOLISM In “All Summer In A SYMBOLISM In “All Summer In A Day”Day”

Find as many symbols as you can inFind as many symbols as you can in““All Summer In A Day”All Summer In A Day”

MAKE A LISTMAKE A LISTSymbol Symbol Meaning MeaningSymbol Symbol Meaning MeaningSymbol Symbol Meaning MeaningSymbol Symbol Meaning Meaning