Symbolism

1. Symbolism CP English 10 CCSS L 9-10.5: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

2. Objective • Students will analyze the impact of symbolism (a type of figurative language) in a text. • For today’s objective, I will ______________.

3. Definition of symbols • A symbol is: Any object, person, place, or action that has both a meaning in itself and that stands for something larger than itself, such as a quality, attitude, belief or value. • IMPORTANT! • Symbolism is a type of figurative language. TPS: What is the definition of a symbol in your own words. The definition of symbol is “ ______________________________”.

4. What is important to remember about symbols? Pay attention to the following three points when reading to determine whether or not something is a symbol: • Symbols are often visual. • When some event, object, or setting is used as a symbol, it often reappears throughout the story. • A symbol usually has something to do with a story’s theme. TPS: What are two important things to remember about symbols? Two important things to remember about symbols are _________________________ and __________________________.

5. Invented Symbols Qualities of Invented Symbols Example • These have been created by someone to stand for something. • come about when writers make a character, object, or event stand for some human concern • sometimes become well-known and gain the status of public symbol Literal: young boy; Peter Pan Symbolic: eternal childhood; innocence TPS: What is an example of an invented symbol and why? An example of an invented symbol I know is _________ because _________.

6. Public Symbols Qualities of Public Symbols Example • Also known as inherited symbols • Have been inherited, or passed down, over time • Are widely known • Can show up in art and literature Literal: Skull and Cross Bones Symbolic: Danger; poison; death TPS: What is an example of a public symbol and why? An example of a public symbol I know is _______ because ________.

7. Symbolism in Literature • Authors use symbolism in literature in order to create deeper meaning in the text. • By developing a symbol, the author relies on associations that the reader can make with the object, event, person, setting, or animal. • We tend to have associations already established…think of colors. What do we associate with: Black? Red? Blue? etc. • Examples: See if you can make the associations.

8. Relevance- Why is understanding symbolism important? • Understanding symbolism is important because: • Symbols add greater depth to the literature and make it more meaningful. • Symbols have the power to affect us emotionally and stay with us long after we have finished reading. • Do you have your own reason? TPS: Why is understanding symbolism is relevant? Understanding symbolism is relevant because _____________.

9. Skill Development- Steps • Read the text • Recognize any reoccurring or important objects from the work and ask the following questions: • Does this character stand for something? • Does this object stand for something? • Does this event stand for something? • Explain what that item symbolizes and how it impacts the text as a whole.

10. “I Do”- Teacher Model “But they’re priceless!” she was saying now, furiously; for she has a temper. “Maggie would put them on the bed and in five years they'd be in rags. Less than that!” “She can always make some more,” I said. “Maggie knows how to quilt.” Dee (Wangero) looked at me with hatred. “You will just not understand. The point is these quilts, these quilts!”…”She can have them, Mama” Maggie said… “I can ‘member Grandma Dee without the quilts” (Walker 82). • Read the text • Recognize any reoccurring or important objects from the work and ask the following questions: • Does this character stand for something? • Does this object stand for something? • Does this event stand for something? The quilts that Maggie, Mama, and Dee are discussing reoccur throughout the section. • Explain what that item symbolizes and how it impacts the text as a whole. (next slide)

11. “I Do”- Teacher Model 3. Explain what that item symbolizes and how it impacts the text as a whole. The quilts in the story “Everyday Use” by Alice Walkersymbolizeheritage and tradition.This symbol impacts the text because it reveals the where the true heritage remains and the rising conflict between old values and new values. Mama and Maggie conflict with Dee in terms of old and new values, just like they have conflict centered around the quilts, which represent history and heritage. Maggie’s comment that she can “…’member Grandma Dee without the quilts” (Walker 82) shows that the true heritage resides with Maggie. She has the ability to quilt as well as the memories that go with the quilts. This heritage and tradition that is symbolized by the quilt connects back to Mama and Maggie and shows that Dee, the person who wants the quilts for decoration, does not have a true understanding or appreciation of her heritage. “But they’re priceless!” she was saying now, furiously; for she has a temper. “Maggie would put them on the bed and in five years they'd be in rags. Less than that!” “She can always make some more,” I said. “Maggie knows how to quilt.” Dee (Wangero) looked at me with hatred. “You will just not understand. The point is these quilts, these quilts!”…”She can have them, Mama” Maggie said… “I can ‘member Grandma Dee without the quilts” (Walker 82).

12. “We Do”- Whole Class From a poem by James Foley Drop a pebble in the water:just a splash, and it is gone; But there's half-a-hundred ripplesCircling on and on and on, Spreading, spreading from the center,flowing on out to the sea. And there is no way of tellingwhere the end is going to be. Drop a pebble in the water:in a minute you forget, But there's little waves a-flowing,and there's ripples circling yet, And those little waves a-flowingto a great big wave have grown; You've disturbed a mighty riverjust by dropping in a stone. • Read the text • Recognize any reoccurring or important objects from the work and ask the following questions: • Does this character stand for something? • Does this object stand for something? • Does this event stand for something? • Explain what that item symbolizes and how it impacts the text as a whole. The _______ symbolizes _________. This symbol impacts the text because _______________. **This frame is a way to START your answer. You need to continue on into a paragraph.**

13. “You Do”- Practice He heard the sound, felt the blow, felt himself falling forward, and his hand closed on the living-room curtains, the shards and fragments of glass showering onto the floor. And then, kneeling there on the ledge, an arm thrust into the room up to the shoulder, he began picking away the protruding slivers and great wedges of glass from the window frame, tossing them in onto the rug. And, as he grasped the edges of the empty window frame and climbed into his home, he was grinning in triumph. He did not lie down on the floor or run through the apartment, as he had promised himself; even in the first few moments it seemed to him natural and normal that he should be where he was. He simply turned to his desk, pulled the crumpled yellow sheet from his pocket, and laid it down where it had been, smoothing it out; then he absently laid a pencil across it to weight it down. He shook his head wonderingly, and turned to walk toward the closet. There he got out his topcoat and hat and, without waiting to put them on, opened the front door and stepped out, to go find his wife. He turned to pull the door closed and the warm air from the hall rushed through the narrow opening again. As he saw the yellow paper, the pencil flying, scooped off the desk and, unimpeded by the glassless window, sail out into the night and out of his life, Tom Benecke burst into laughter and then closed the door behind him. • Read the text • Recognize any reoccurring or important objects from the work and ask the following questions: • Does this character stand for something? • Does this object stand for something? • Does this event stand for something? • Explain what that item symbolizes and how it impacts the text as a whole. The _______ symbolizes _________. This symbol impacts the text because _______________. **This frame is a way to START your answer. You need to continue on into a paragraph.**

14. Quickwrite Write a minimum of 1 paragraph (8-10 sentences) responding to the following: Think of a time when you felt you needed to prove yourself by achieving something that was difficult and challenging. What did you have to go through to reach your goal? Did you get or do what you wanted? How did you feel at the end?

15. “You Do”- Independent Practice • Read the story “Through the Tunnel” by Doris Lessing • Interactive Reader p. 174 • Complete all margin questions • Complete symbolism graphic organizer • Any work that is not completed will become homework. Test is Tuesday!