Symbolism

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Symbolism

• Meanings beyond the obvious

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A symbol is

• an object that stands for itself and a greater
  idea.
• We see symbols every day

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• PART 1 HOW MANY SYMBOLS CAN YOU ASSOCIATE WITH
  UNIVERSAL, ABSTRACT IDEAS OR VALUES??
• HINT Dont limit yourselves to objects, think
  also about shapes and colors or just parts of a
  picture

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In literature, symbolism

• creates a direct, meaningful link between
• a specific object, scene, character, or action
• and
• abstract ideas, values, persons or ways of life.

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Symbolism is be used to

• Provide meaning beyond the obvious
• Emphasize key ideas or themes

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.
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• Draw attention to the plot

A 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.
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• And give insights into characters

In Poes Telltale Heart, the sound of the
beating heart represents the mans guilt
a characters name symbolizes something about
him in The Lottery Mr. Graves has authority
over the killing
and a characters appearance can be symbolic of
his personality. In The Cask of Amontillado,
Fortunato wears a fools costume and he is, in
fact, a fool for trusting the narrator.
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How can you spot a symbol?

• Theres no one way, but some things to look for
  are
• Colors or objects that are used __________ if
  its mentioned often, its probably important
• Unusual character __________
• Objects / creatures that have __________
  meanings (lions strength, owls wisdom, etc.)

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One warning

• Many symbols are _________ interpretations
  and unintended by the author!
• Consider this dialogue from Peanuts. Charlie
  Brown has drawn something, and Lucy is seeing a
  symbol that __________

Lucy Do you always have the peoples hands
behind their back to symbolize your shyness?
Charlie Brown No, I just dont know how to
draw hands.
So dont go crazy with this stuff! Its all
open to interpretation
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What do these images symbolize?
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And these
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Symbolism

• Meanings beyond ________________

13
A symbol is

• an object that __________ itself and a
  __________
• We see symbols every day

14

• PART 1 HOW MANY SYMBOLS CAN YOU ASSOCIATE WITH
  __________ ______________IDEAS OR VALUES??
• HINT Dont limit yourselves to objects, think
  also about shapes and colors or just parts of a
  picture

15
In literature, symbolism

• creates a direct, meaningful _____ between
• a __________ object, scene, character, or
  action
• and
• __________ , values, persons or ways of life.

16
Symbolism is be used to

• Provide meaning beyond the __________
• Emphasize key ideas or themes

A river can __________ the flow of life or
its __________ may represent the unknown the
water might be purity or there could be
dangers beneath the surface.
17

• Draw attention to the __________

A 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 __________ the
intense emotion and trouble
And dawn may show the end of conflict, the start
of a new day.
18

• And give insights into characters

In Poes Telltale Heart, the sound of the
beating heart __________ the mans guilt
a characters __________ something about him
in The Lottery Mr. Graves has authority over
the killing
and a characters appearance can be symbolic of
his ___________ In The Cask of Amontillado,
Fortunato wears a fools costume and he is, in
fact, a fool for trusting the narrator.
19
How can you spot a symbol?

• Theres no one way, but some things to look for
  are
• Colors or objects that are used repeatedly if
  its mentioned often, its probably important
• Unusual character names
• Objects / creatures that have cultural meanings
  (lions strength, owls wisdom, etc.)

20
One warning

• Many symbols are personal interpretations and
  unintended by the author!
• Consider this dialogue from Peanuts

Lucy Do you always have the peoples hands
behind their back to symbolize your shyness?
Charlie Brown No, I just dont know how to
draw hands.
So dont go crazy with this stuff! Its all
open to interpretation
21
What do these images symbolize?
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And these