Symbolism in Literature

2. Symbolism in Literature

3. Symbols • What is a symbol? • A particular person, object, place, event, word or phrase that represents something beyond itself. • Example: • What does it represent? • 13 original colonies, freedom, United States, patriotism, 50 states (stars)

4. Symbols • Example: Crucifix • What does it represent? • Christian faith, Jesus’ sacrifice, union with Christ

5. Symbol • Can you identify other symbols in the room? • What do the symbols in this room represent?

6. Symbols • Symbols can be: • Universal (cultural) • They are known by most people Examples: • **Contextual** • Created by an author in a piece of literature

7. Symbols • Symbols can be: • Private • Require a special or private knowledge to know the meaning of

8. Symbolism in Literature • What is symbolism in literature? • The author’s use of people, places, events, words/phrases or objects to represent beliefs, values, or ideas that aren’t visible

9. Symbolism in Literature • Symbols in literature can come in many forms • Setting (weather) – a stormy day might symbolize tension or anger in the story • Characters – can represent things like intelligence (Turtle Wexler), strictness (Mrs. Cook), knowledge/wisdom (Grandfather) • Objects – yellow cloth (illness, death), Sam Westing’s will (represents mystery, clues) • Words/phrases – “Bong, bong, bong.” (represents another fever victim has died)

10. Why do author’s use symbolism? • To add a deeper layer of meaning to a story • To speak more powerfully to the reader’s emotions and imagination • To make their stories more memorable

11. How to find symbols in literature • Symbols cannot be drawn in literature, therefore, finding symbols requires a deep and careful analysis of the text • You must look and think beyond the literal or what is written on the pages

12. Author’s display symbols by… • Emphasis – using a lot of detail to describe an object • Repetition – an object, person, word/phrase is mentioned frequently • ** If something is referred to repeatedly throughout a novel, it is probably important and a most likely holds a meaning beyond the object itself.**

13. Symbols in Literature • Settings: • A dark forest may represent • Danger, fear, evil, or mystery OR • It may be a place children go to build a fort • A tropical island may represent • Paradise, relaxation, leisure, or delight OR • A tropical island could represent being lost at sea, isolation, fear, seclusion

14. Symbols in Literature • Objects • A sun may represent happiness, or motivation OR • It could symbolize many years so of hard labor done by slaves

15. Meaning of Symbols • Symbols are contextual and their meaning relies on other information in the text • Symbols can and often do have more than one meaning

16. Meaning of Symbols • Sometimes the meaning or purpose of a symbol is difficult to identify. It can even be completely unknown. • Author’s do this on purpose to encourage the reader to bring their own interpretation to a piece of literature

17. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHAmYCU-KZM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-F599mU6L4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXJUq4kdGAE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xUC46JSkG8