Symbolism and Allegory Signs of something more 1

Symbolism and Allegory Signs of something more…

1. Symbol Meaning – something that functions in a way one would expect, but also represents something else • Symbols are a form of figurative language. • Usually stands for something abstract • ABSTRACT things are those things that can NOT be experienced directly through any of the 5 senses. • • • Liberty • Justice • Anger • Serenity • • War Happiness Frustration Tolerance Truth Deceit You can not touch or see any of these things in the physical sense. You can not count any of them. You can not create sentences in which some of these words can be used as plurals?

2. Public Symbols Meaning – Symbols that are culturally recognized What do these public symbols represent?

3. Allegory Meaning – A story in which characters and places stand for virtues and vices (good and bad). Almost every element has meaning beyond the literal level. Example: • Animal Farm – a political allegory about Communism • Monster – a societal allegory about the American Justice System

4. Fables Meaning – A type of allegory that uses animal characters to teach a practical lesson Examples: • The Tortoise and the Hare • What was the lesson? • The Boy Who Cried Wolf • What was the lesson?

5. Parable Meaning – A type of allegory that uses an ordinary everyday situation to teach a moral lesson Examples: • The Good Samaritan • Aesop’s Fables • The Prodigal Son

Why use symbols? • Symbols are used to emotionally move the reader • Examples: • The Good Samaritan • Cinderella’s glass slipper • Symbols are easily remembered or recognized • Examples: • Flags • Religious symbols • Colors • Red – excitement, energy, anger • Blue – peace, tranquility, calm

Identifying Symbols 1. Symbols are often visual. • Ex. The different types of houses in The Three Little Pigs 2. Symbols often appear throughout a story. • Ex. The White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland 3. Symbols are a form of figurative language 4. Symbols often relate to the story’s theme

Identifying Symbols are often visual. • How could different characters be symbolic of something other than just being people in the story? -Mildred? Montag? Clarisse Mc. Clellan? • How could the chapter titles indicate symbols to be interpreted? - The Hearth & The Salamander Symbols often appear throughout a story. • What has the author made you focus on or notice repeatedly that COULD be symbolic of something? • The salamander, the air vent, books, Symbols often relate to the story’s theme !!!! • Symbols will be tied to a struggle that runs throughout the story !! • That STRUGGLE is what the THEME is all about. • WHAT is MONTAG BEING FORCED TO COME TO TERMS WITH? AND What are the symbols associated with his struggle?