Title: Symbolism
1Symbolism
- Meanings beyond the obvious
2A symbol is
- A symbol is an image which suggests or represents
something other than itself. - (In other words, when you use something tangible
to represent something intangible) . - We see symbols every day
3In literature, symbolism
- creates a direct, meaningful link between
- a specific object, scene, character, or action
- and
- abstract ideas, values, persons or ways of life.
4In other words.
- When you use something tangible to represent
something intangible - But Ms. Potter I dont know what those words
mean!
5Tangible vs. Intangible
- Tangible
- Things that you can touch
- Flag
- Autumn leaves
- Eagle
- Peace Sign
- Wedding Band
- Water
- Flowers
- Dove
- Intangible
- Things you cannot touch
- RespectAffectionWishesRomanceDisdainMeaning
HappinessAngstRunningEgo
6Similes can help
- Use the simple simile method
- Intangible (something you cant touch)
- Is like a
- Tangible (something you can touch) Because
- If you can compare something you cant touch to
something you can touch, youve just found a
symbol!
7For 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
Tangible
Intangible
8Lets try a few.
Hate
Friendship
Envy
Commitment
9Common Symbols
- Lets take a look at a few symbols that our
commonly found in literature
10Symbolism
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.
11A 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 at a critical moment can represent the
intense emotion and trouble
And dawn may show the end of conflict, the start
of a new day.
12In Poes Telltale Heart, the sound of the
beating heart represents the mans guilt
a characters name may tell you something about
them, in The Lottery Mr. Graves has authority
over the killing
and a characters appearance can be symbolic
in Cask of Amontillado, Fortunato wears a fools
costume and he is, in fact, a fool for trusting
the narrator.
13- HOW MANY SYMBOLS MEANINGS CAN YOU IDENTIFY?
14HOW MANY SYMBOLISM COLOR MEANINGS CAN YOU
IDENTIFY?
Red
Green
White
Black
Blue
15Practice
- Read Flowers by Alice Walker
- Identify the symbolism
- Read Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night"
- "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost
- "O Captain! My Captain!"Â Â by Walt Whitman
- Identify the symbolism
16What kind of image would symbolize you?
USING A LARGE NOTECARD, create a colorful symbol
that represents you and/or your ideals or
something about you. Your card will be put on
the bulletin board. Name on front or back. Show
your card to the teacher for credit before
stapling it to the board.