Define: SymbolismWhy do you think authors use symbols in a text?

Do Now

March 10, 2015

Symbolism and Allegory

Explain what the Following Symbols

Mean:

A symbol is often an event, object, person or animal to which

an extraordinary meaning or significance has been attached.

Symbols

Pair/share: What ideas do these pictures symbolize?

Symbols can be inherited or invented.

Example: The Statue of Liberty Came to symbolize freedom for people

immigrating to the United States by way of Ellis Island.

Where do Symbols Come From?

Symbols allow writers to suggest layers of meanings and possibilities that a simple literal statement could not convey as well.

Why Create Symbols in Literature?

Symbols allow writers to convey an idea with layers of meaning without having to explain those layers in the text.

Why Create Symbols in Literature?

A symbol is like a pebble cast into a pond: It sends out ever widening

ripples.

Pair/Share: Tell your partner a symbol from one of our readings this year or last year.

Why Create Symbols in Literature?

An Allegory is a story in which characters, settings and actions

stand for something beyond themselves.

Allegory

The Wizard of Oz was an allegory for the political and economic systems in America

In some types of Allegories, the characters and setting represent abstract ideas of moral qualities.

In other types, characters and situations stand for historical figures and events.

Allegory

Characters and places in allegories often have names that reveal their

symbolic significance:

CHARACTERS• Death

• Vanity• Good

Deeds• Ignorance

PLACES

• Celestial City• Vanity Fair• Hill of

Difficulty• Valley of Fear

Allegory

1. An Allegory can be read on one level for its literal or straightforward meaning

2. An allegory can be read for its symbolic, or allegorical meaning

Allegory Meanings

Allegories are often intended to:1. teach a moral lesson

or

2. make a comment about goodness and corruption

Teachings

What do you think Everyman, the main character of the allegory, stands for?

What comment about fellowship, beauty, and strength does this allegory make?

Quick Check: Everyman

EverymanOne day, Everyman is

summoned by Death to give an accounting of his life. Everyman ask his friends Fellowship, Beauty, Strength, and Good Deeds to go with him to tell Death that he has led a good life. Only Good Deeds stays with him to the end.

—summary of “Everyman”

Symbolism vs. AllegorySymbol Allegory

• A word, place, character or object that means something beyond what it is on a literal level

• interconnected symbols

• nearly every element of the narrative has a meaning beyond the literal level,

i.e., everything in the narrative is a symbol that relates to other symbols within the story

Before Reading Questions

TOGETHER

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KsAvtHsyY0

The Terrible Things By: Eve BuntingAn Allegory for the

Holocaust

Page 176 – 177 Analyze the Allegory

On Your Own

Think of a movie or book that utilizes a symbol (you cannot use an example from this powerpoint!)1. Name the movie/book2. Identify the symbol3. Identify the literal meaning of the symbol4. Identify the figurative (symbolic) meaning of

the symbol5. Explain why the symbol was used

Independent Practice

1. A symbol is _____________________.2. Symbols can be _______, _________,

__________, or _________.3. Symbols represent _______________________.4. Name the four things that can be symbols.5. Symbols allow writers to __________.6. An allegory is ______ in which

_______________and _______ stand for something beyond themselves.

EXIT TICKET