What Do You Need to Know About Symbolism and Irony?

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What Do You Need to Know About Symbolism and
Irony?
Feature Menu
Symbols Public Symbols Invented
Symbols Allegory Your Turn
Irony Verbal Irony Situational Irony
Dramatic Irony Ambiguity
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Symbols
A symbol is an ordinary object, event, person, or
animal to which we have attached a special
meaning.
A symbol stands for both itself and also for
something else.
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Symbols
Are you familiar with these symbols?
justice
luck
love
What meanings do you associate with each?
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Symbols
The use of symbols allows writers to communicate
on more than a literal, or surface, level.
Symbols help writers suggest layers of meaning in
their worksmeanings that simple, literal
language may never fully convey.
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Symbols Public Symbols

• Public symbols
• have been passed down over time, and
• are widely known.

Lions, for example, have symbolized power and
courage for hundreds of years. They often serve
as school mascots and appear on family crests and
flags.
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Symbols Invented Symbols

• Invented symbols
• are created to convey certain ideas, and

• sometimes become widely known, gaining the status
  of public symbols.

Charles Dickenss Ebenezer Scrooge is an invented
symbol that has come to symbolize heartlessness
and greed.
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Symbols
Quick Check
In this passage, what might the butterfly
symbolize?
Cleo sat pondering the decision she was about to
make Was a move across the country really a good
idea? A new city offered better opportunities,
but shed lived in this town all her life. Could
she adjust to such a change? As she thought, she
felt a tickle on her forehead. A butterfly,
boldly marked with brilliant blues and yellows,
had drifted past. The sight brought tears to her
eyes.
End of Section
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Symbols
Quick Check
In this passage, what might the butterfly
symbolize?
Cleo sat pondering the decision she was about to
make Was a move across the country really a good
idea? A new city offered better opportunities,
but shed lived in this town all her life. Could
she adjust to such a change? As she thought, she
felt a tickle on her forehead. A butterfly,
boldly marked with brilliant blues and yellows,
had drifted past. The sight brought tears to her
eyes.
Because a caterpillar changes into a butterfly,
the butterfly might symbolize a change in Cleo.
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Allegory
An allegory is a story in which the characters,
setting, and action stand for something beyond
themselves.
George Orwells Animal Farm is an allegory. The
novel describes a group of talking animals that
take over a farm. Although the story seems
simple, the novels animals and their revolution
have a deeper, abstract meaning.
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Allegory
An allegory can be read and understood on more
than one level
The literal level is the simplest way to view the
story its what you see on the surface.
On a literal level, Animal Farm is a simple story
about what happens when animals try to run their
own farm.
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Allegory
An allegory can be read and understood on more
than one level
The allegorical level is the deepest level of the
story its the story that lies beyond the
literal.
On an allegorical level, the characters and plot
of Animal Farm may represent the people and
events of the Russian Revolution of 1917. The
novel reflects events that are far more complex
than those of the surface story.
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Allegory
In some types of allegory, the characters and
settings represent abstract ideas, like happiness
or evil, or moral qualities, like honesty.
Long ago, in a kingdom far away, there lived a
family with three daughters Hope, Faith, and
Charity. Their parents treasured each of the
girls, and they could never pick a favorite.
Long ago, in a kingdom far away, there lived a
family with three daughters Hope, Faith, and
Charity. Their parents treasured each of the
girls, and they could never pick a favorite.
These are moral qualities. This story may be more
than a simple fairy tale.
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Allegory
In other types of allegories, characters and
situations stand for historical figures and
events.
Sam was a wild child. He was daring and
adventurous, always willing to try something
new. His father, George, on the other hand, was
happy to sit back and profit from Sams hard
work. He was also very strict with his son, often
angering him with his meddling.
Sam was a wild child. He was daring and
adventurous, always willing to try something new.
His father, George, on the other hand, was happy
to sit back and profit from Sams hard work. He
was also very strict with his son, often angering
him with his meddling.
Rebellious son, strict father The situation
sounds a bit like the American Revolution.
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Allegory
Quick Check
Summarize the literal level of this allegory.
There was once a remarkable woman. Her children
were too numerous to count, and still she managed
to provide for them all. She made sure that they
always had food, shelter, and fuel. For all of
this, her children rarely thanked her. In fact,
her efforts never satisfied them. They plotted
to take even more from her, ignoring her
exhaustion, and they often were messy and
destructive, increasing her burden.
What might the author be suggesting on an
allegorical level?
End of Section
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Allegory
Quick Check
Summarize the literal level of this allegory.
There was once a remarkable woman. Her children
were too numerous to count, and still she managed
to provide for them all. She made sure that they
always had food, shelter, and fuel. For all of
this, her children rarely thanked her. In fact,
her efforts never satisfied them. They plotted
to take even more from her, ignoring her
exhaustion, and they often were messy and
destructive, increasing her burden.
Literally, the allegory involves a mother who has
many ungrateful children.
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Allegory
Quick Check
What might the author be suggesting on an
allegorical level?
There was once a remarkable woman. Her children
were too numerous to count, and still she managed
to provide for them all. She made sure that they
always had food, shelter, and fuel. For all of
this, her children rarely thanked her. In fact,
her efforts never satisfied them. They plotted
to take even more from her, ignoring her
exhaustion, and they often were messy and
destructive, increasing her burden.
The mother might symbolize compassion and caring.
The children might represent people who exploit
human kindness.
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Irony
Irony is the difference between what we expect or
find suitable and what actually happens.
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Irony
Writers include irony in stories to reflect the
real worlda world where expectations arent
always fulfilled and unexpected events often
surprise us.
Katies grandfather taught her to play chess a
few weeks ago. Now, she consistently wins matches
against her grandfather and the other members of
his chess club.
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Irony
There are three basic categories of irony
verbal irony
situational irony
dramatic irony
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Irony Verbal Irony
Verbal irony occurs when someone says one thing
but actually means the opposite.
This is just what I was hoping for this morning.
Wow! You should consider going pro!
Actually, she finds his skating skills comical.
Actually, this is the last thing she hoped for.
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Irony Situational Irony
Situational irony occurs when an event is the
opposite of what was expected.
Elodie detested technology and decided that it
was time to spread the word about how computers
are decreasing our intelligence, harming our
relationships, and generally ruining the world as
we know it. For that reason, she set up an
anti-computer Web site.
Elodie detested technology and decided that it
was time to spread the word about how computers
are decreasing our intelligence, harming our
relationships, and generally ruining the world as
we know it. For that reason, she set up an
anti-computer Web site.
Elodie detested technology and decided that it
was time to spread the word about how computers
are decreasing our intelligence, harming our
relationships, and generally ruining the world as
we know it. For that reason, she set up an
anti-computer Web site.
Expectation She hates computers so much, she
probably wont even use one.
Outcome Not only does she use one, she uses it
to let the world know about the evils of
computers.
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Irony Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony occurs when you know whats going
to happen to a character but he or she doesnt
know.
May sighed as she loaded her laundry into the
washer. She had no idea how she would afford the
rent at the end of the week. Money was always so
tight. Meanwhile, in the washer, crumpled in the
pocket of her jeans, sat the winning ticket from
last nights lottery drawing.
May sighed as she loaded her laundry into the
washer. She had no idea how she would afford the
rent at the end of the week. Money was always so
tight. Meanwhile, in the washer, crumpled in the
pocket of her jeans, sat the winning ticket from
last nights lottery drawing.
Dramatic irony can create suspense and make you
feel a little helpless.
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Irony
Quick Check
Based on the passage, which statement would be an
example of verbal irony?
Mr. Hapner wants to sell his old van. Mrs. Duran
comes to look at it. She notices that the van is
rusty and dented, the front bumper is missing,
and the engine will barely start.
A. Oh, sir, she says, are you sure you want
to part with this gem?
B. Oh, sir, she says, do you really expect to
sell this piece of junk?
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Irony
Quick Check
Based on the passage, which statement would be an
example of verbal irony?
Mr. Hapner wants to sell his old van. Mrs. Duran
comes to look at it. She notices that the van is
rusty and dented, the front bumper is missing,
and the engine will barely start.
Since the old van is clearly no gem, Mrs. Duran
is using verbal irony in Statement A.
A. Oh, sir, she says, are you sure you want
to part with this gem?
B. Oh, sir, she says, do you really expect to
sell this piece of junk?
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Irony
Quick Check
Based on the passage, which statement would be an
example of situational irony?
Dr. Kwan is a pet psychologist. A leader in her
field, she has received several awards for her
research and clinical successes. Dr. Kwan
publishes a book called The Workings of a Dogs
Mind How to Help Your Dog Behave, and it soars
up the bestseller list.
A. Dr. Kwan gets an offer to host a television
show about pets.
B. Dr. Kwan comes home to find that her two dogs
have gnawed on several pairs of her shoes,
ruining them.
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Irony
Quick Check
Based on the passage, which statement would be an
example of situational irony?
Dr. Kwan is a pet psychologist. A leader in her
field, she has received several awards for her
research and clinical successes. Dr. Kwan
publishes a book called The Workings of a Dogs
Mind How to Help Your Dog Behave, and it soars
up the bestseller list.
Youd expect Dr. Kwans dogs to be well behaved,
but they arent. Statement B is the correct
answer.
A. Dr. Kwan gets an offer to host a television
show about pets.
B. Dr. Kwan comes home to find that her two dogs
have gnawed on several pairs of her shoes,
ruining them.
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Irony
Quick Check
Based on the passage, which statement would be an
example of dramatic irony?
Detective Boone, the main character of a play, is
trying to solve a string of burglaries. The
audience knows that one of the other characters,
a waitress at the detectives favorite coffee
shop, is the burglar.
A. We watch as Detective Boone talks to the
waitress about his investigation, sharing
sensitive information.
B. Another detective eventually solves the
case, and the waitress is arrested.
End of Section
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Irony
Quick Check
Based on the passage, which statement would be an
example of dramatic irony?
Detective Boone, the main character of a play, is
trying to solve a string of burglaries. The
audience knows that one of the other characters,
a waitress at the detectives favorite coffee
shop, is the burglar.
You have knowledge about the waitress that Boone
does not. Statement A shows dramatic irony.
A. We watch as Detective Boone talks to the
waitress about his investigation, sharing
sensitive information.
B. Another detective eventually solves the
case, and the waitress is arrested.
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Ambiguity
Ambiguity presents us with conflicting
consequences and meanings.
Who are they?
Why did he fall?
Where are they going?
Is she going to fall, too?
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Ambiguity
As in real life, some stories and poems contain
ambiguitiesmysterious situations that we have to
figure out.
For a few moments, the crowd sat in stunned
silence. Up on the stage, the artist stood
staring down at the splinters and twisted
wires. Perhaps, someone called out from a
balcony, the critics will call that your big
break!
Why is the crowd sitting in silence?
Why is artist placed inside quotation marks?
Are the splinters and wires part of a sculpture?
A broken instrument?
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Ambiguity
Quick Check
Based on the passage, which statement best
explains the situation?
The news went out quickly, silently bouncing back
and forth between ground and sky, a silent set of
symbols that landed link to link along a curious
chain For the first time in seven years, their
team had won.
A. People are cheering because their team has
finally won a game.
B. People are text-messaging each other with
news about their teams victory.
End of Section
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Ambiguity
Quick Check
Based on the passage, which statement best
explains the situation?
The news went out quickly, silently bouncing back
and forth between ground and sky, a silent set of
symbols that landed link to link along a curious
chain For the first time in seven years, their
team had won.
Both situations may be true. However, clues
suggest that the news is spreading electronically.
A. People are cheering because their team has
finally won a game.
B. People are text-messaging each other with
news about their teams victory.
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Analyze Symbolism and Irony
Your Turn
1. This brief poem works on two levels a literal
level and a symbolic level. A fen is a swampy
place.
I May, I Might, I Must If you will tell me why
the fen appears impassable, I then will tell you
why I think that I can get across if I
try. Marianne Moore
What does the fen symbolize in this poem?
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Analyze Symbolism and Irony
Your Turn
2. Study the cartoon in your textbook. What type
of irony has the cartoonist used?
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The End