Symbolism

What do you see?

What words come to mind?

If you said “liberty, justice, freedom,”

WHY did you?

What do you see?

What words come to mind?

Over time, certain objects have been assigned meaning.

We call these objects SYMBOLS.

And the process is called:

Symbolism!

= FREEDOM

= BAD LUCK

What do you see?

What words come to mind?

What does this SYMBOLIZE?

What’s the symbolism?

Now, let’s move to literature!

No matter how windy, cold, or rainy the Pacific Northwest could be, Tommy would not let his campfire go out. No matter how hungry or tired he became, somehow he kept the fire stoked. Even if he had to travel for hundreds of yards to find firewood, Tommy kept it burning. When everything said quit, let go, just give up, the fire called to him.

What’s the symbolism in this paragraph?

Here’s what I saw:

= hope

So…watch out for symbols in your reading!

Symbolism

• Symbols in literature - objects that are used to represent other things or ideas.

• Symbolism provides meaning to the writing beyond what is actually being described.

• This meaning is used to enhance the story

A writer often uses a concrete object to express an abstract idea,

quality or belief.

• What is a concrete object?

Concrete Objects

• Refer to an actual substance or thing, as opposed to an abstract quality.

• Abstract object – usually an idea. It exists, but you can’t touch it or see it.

• Examples of concrete: cat, water, teacher• Examples of abstract nouns: truth,

excellence, adulthood

What can be used as a symbol?

• sign • sound • object/s • picture/image • character• written word or phrase • letter

Symbolism

• Symbolism in literature can be subtle or obvious, used sparingly or throughout the story.

Literature Example

• The Harry Potter books by J. K. Rowling could be seen as containing a lot of symbolism, although there are as many interpretations as there are creatures in the books! (The author isn't saying). One clear example is a commonly used one; the use of a snake to represent evil. It is no coincidence that the symbol of Slytherin House is a serpent.

The Outsiders

• Greaser Hair

Greaser Hair

• The greasers' long, slick hair is a symbol of their gang, both to themselves and to others. When Pony and Johnny cut and dye their hair while in hiding they’re taking a symbolic step outside the gang. As a result, Ponyboy feels less secure, but also gains a bit of room in which to develop his individuality.

The Outsiders

• The Blue Mustang

Blue Mustang

• The blue Mustang represents the Socs’ wealth as well as the danger they pose to Greasers. When Johnny or Two-bit or another Greaser spots the Mustang, he knows trouble is coming. As the novel progresses, however, and Ponyboy comes to understand and feel compassion for the Socs, the Mustang loses some of its power to intimidate. Ponyboy actually sits inside of it when and he talk about the church fire and the rumble.

The Outsiders

• Sunsets and Sunrises

Sunsets/Sunrises

• Sunsets and sunrises in The Outsiders represent the beauty and goodness in the world, particularly after Johnny compares the gold in the poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay” to the gold of the sunrises and sunsets Ponyboy enjoys. The sunset also stands for the common humanity of all people, regardless of the gang to which they belong—in their first conversation at the drive-in, Ponyboy and Cherry find common ground in their enjoyment of the same sunset from opposite sides of town.

Recognize Symbolism

• 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.

Trust your feelings

• If an image or object described by the author makes you react in a certain way, you are probably onto something; never discredit your own feelings.

• 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.

Look to others

• Discussing a piece of literature with a teacher or classmates is always helpful.

• With experience, finding symbols will become easier, but when you are first starting out, it never hurts to get ideas from others.

Examples of Symbolism

• American cultural symbols: Red, white and blue colors; Bald Eagle

• Green has come to represent anything which is environmentally friendly.

• Red has come to represent love• Diamonds have come to symbolize

forever• Can you think of other symbols?