When an object, image, word or action means more than its literal meaning; it represents something else or something more than itself

Transcription

1 SYMBOLISM

2 SYMBOLISM When an object, image, word or action means more than its literal meaning; it represents something else or something more than itself Sometimes symbols are highly recognizable because we encounter them so regularly Other symbols are more complex as we might only encounter it once in literature and have to make meaning from or about it

3 COMMON SYMBOLS What does this symbol represent?

4 COMMON SYMBOLS What does this symbol represent?

5 COMMON SYMBOLS What does this symbol represent?

6 COMMON SYMBOLS What does this symbol represent?

7 COMMON SYMBOLS What does this symbol represent?

8 COMMON SYMBOLS What does this symbol represent?

9 COMMON SYMBOLS What does this symbol represent?

10 COMMON SYMBOLS What does this symbol represent?

11 COMMON SYMBOLS What does this symbol represent?

12 SYMBOLISM IN LITERATURE Symbolism will be important for you to recognize to fully understand a literature selection. If you've never had to evaluate a work critically, this may seem like a scary experience. Fear not, you can do it.

13 SYMBOLISM IN LITERATURE Grasp the meaning of "symbol." Just as the Canadian maple leaf is often thought of as the symbol of Canada, symbols used in literature are objects used to represent other things or ideas.

14 SYMBOLISM IN LITERATURE Recognize the signs. There are several ways to recognize symbolism in literature. One is the frequency an object or character is mentioned in a piece of literature--if it is mentioned often, it is probably important. Another way to find a symbol is to look at how much detail is used in describing an object. These two methods give clues that the writer wants you to infer something about a particular object.

15 EXAMPLES FROM WARREN PRYOR How often are the following items discussed? How much detail is used in describing them? The Farm The Graduation Diploma

16 THE FARM GRAD DIPLOMA Stony fields Meagre acreage Thistle strewn Red dirt Family Barren hole Years of brutal toil Slaving to free Slender scroll Passport from years of brutal toil Boarded at school in town Every pencil meant a sacrifice (importance of education) Blushed with pride (at receiving it) HOW ARE THESE TWO THINGS DESCRIBED/DISCUSSED?

17 EXAMPLES FROM WARREN PRYOR What does each symbolize for the different characters (the parents/ Warren)? The Farm The Graduation Diploma

18 SYMBOLISM IN LITERATURE Symbolism will be important for you to recognize to fully understand a literature selection. If you've never had to evaluate a work critically, this may seem like a scary experience. Fear not, you can do it.

19 SYMBOLISM IN LITERATURE Familiarize yourself with the author's work and style. A symbol in a piece of literature often represents an important issue of the time in which the author lived, or has personal significance to the writer. Edgar Allan Poe, for example, is well-known for the tragedy he suffered during his lifetime. (orphaned, poor, alcoholic - He died as he had lived: a tragic, pointless death. Found in the gutter, apparently the victim of an election gang who used alcoholics to vote for their candidate. Taken to a hospital, Poe died four days later and was buried in a Baltimore cemetery next to his wife.) His stories and poetry often included dark imagery and death which were undoubtedly symbolic of the events in his life.

20 SYMBOLISM IN LITERATURE Trust your feelings. If an image or object described by the author makes you react in a certain way, you are probably on to something, never discredit your own feelings just because you're a novice. It is very likely that the author planted the image in the work in a particular way to alert the reader that a symbol is important.

21 SYMBOLISM IN LITERATURE Look to others. There's no shame in reading critical essays about a literary work to gain a better understanding of it, or in discussing a piece of literature with a teacher or classmate. With experience, finding symbols will become easier, but when you are first starting out, it never hurts to get ideas from others who have a better grasp of symbolism.

22 YOUR TASK Develop an image that symbolizes the theme from Warren Pryor. Write your theme statement with the image, then explain how your image represents or symbolizes the theme on the back side of the page.