Items to Review Symbolism Plot What is symbolism

Items to Review: • Symbolism • Plot

What is symbolism? �A person, place or object which has a meaning in itself but suggests other meanings as well. �Things, characters and actions can be symbols. Anything that suggests a meaning beyond the obvious. �Some symbols are conventional, generally meaning the same thing to all readers. For example: The flag symbolizes The United States of America.

What is Symbolism… �However, a symbol can also be vague, which requires the reader to have background knowledge and a concrete understanding of what is going on in the story in order to figure out the deeper meaning. For example: A dark night in a story can mean death or the presence of something evil, or it can also represent a mysterious tone.

Simple Symbolism �What does the flag symbolize? �What do the stripes symbolize? �What do the stars symbolize? �Do you think the flag is a symbol?

Answers: �The flag symbolizes the United States of America. �The stripes symbolize the original thirteen states that rebelled against the British monarchy and became the first states in the Union. �The stars represent the 50 states which make up America. �Yes, the flag is absolutely a symbol. Now, lets look at symbols with more depth…

Complex Symbolism �What do the colors red white and blue represent? �What do the stars and stripes symbolize? �What do the arrows and the olive branch symbolize? �What does the eagle represent? �What does the moto E Plurious Unum mean?

Answers: �White signifies purity and innocence. Red, hardiness & valor; and blue signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice. �The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun. �The arrows themselves represent a weapon of war. However, the thirteen arrows tightly aligned is a symbol of "strength in unity" that's found in the traditional cultures everywhere, from the Romans to the Iroquois.

Answers Continued: �The olive branch represents peace, and the eagle facing the olive branch on its right side further emphasizes the power and inclination of peace. �The American Eagle on the Great Seal represents liberty and freedom. The eagle also holds the delicate balance of peace (the olive branch) and war (the arrows). �The motto is Latin, which translates to: "Out of many, one” this symbolizes the union between the states to represent the power of those united.

What are the elements of plot? �Plot - exposition statement - rising action - conflict - climax - falling action - resolution

Plot… Plot is the sequence or order of events in a story. The plot includes: - Exposition Statement - The part of the plot that tells how the story begins. - Rising Action - The action in the story leading up to the climax. - Conflict - Struggles or problems between opposing forces.

Plot… - Climax - The point of crisis in the plot. It may be the reader’s point of highest interest. - Falling action - The action in the story after the climax is revealed. - Resolution - The part of the plot that reveals the final outcome.

Plot Diagram Climax Act ing Ris ion Act ion ling Fal Conflict Exposition Resolution