Animation & Poetry SYMBOLISM

“I was writing once at a very symbolical and abstract poem, when my pen fell on the ground; and as I stooped to pick it up, I remembered some fantastic adventure that yet did not seem fantastic, and then another like adventure, and when I asked myself when these things had happened, I found that I was remembering my dreams for many nights.” – Yeats (The Symbolism of Poetry)

“If I watch a rushy pool in the moonlight, my emotion at its beauty is mixed with memories of the man that I have seen ploughing by its margin, or of the lovers I saw there a night ago; but if I look at the moon herself and remember any of her ancient names and meanings, I move among divine people, and things that have shaken off our mortality, the tower of ivory, the queen of waters, the shining stag among enchanted woods, the white hare sitting upon the hill-top, the fool of faery with his shining cup full of dreams, and it may be "make a friend of one of these images of wonder," and "meet the Lord in the air.” - Yeats

Symbolism in Poetry: An object, person, situation, or action that stands for something else more abstract. Outer Symbol: A literal or figurative. Inner Symbol: Suggests individual or cultural meaning or association or that outer symbol. Love Passion Death

It is important to distinguish a symbol from a metaphor Metaphors are comparisons between two seemingly dissimilar things Symbols associate two things, but their meaning is both literal and figurative. A metaphor might read "His life was an oak tree that had just lost its leaves"; a symbol might be the oak tree itself, which would evoke the cycle of death and rebirth through the loss and growth of leaves.

The Little Match Girl Watch the movie clip and notice the symbolism of matches. Take notes of such symbols. What does matches symbolize? What other symbolism can you find in the video? Discuss with your fellow classmates. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUSzQBaWq0Q

Destino As with the other clip, watch and takes notes of potential figures that can be taken as symbols. Which ones could you identify? Describe the inner and outer symbolism. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO8ffgDbM80

The Invention of Love What is different in this animation? What kind of symbolism is used? Make notes of each symbol you can find and identify its inner and outer meaning. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTdzCAGH3lU

Compare your notes about the video. Make you own Poem Instructions Work in groups of four. Compare your notes about the video. Choose five symbols and define their inner and outer meaning. Develop a very short story in the fashion of the clips we observed. They should be influenced by the symbols you have chosen.

Use devices such as alliteration, metaphors, similes, etc. Express Yourself Each student will compose a stanza of four to six verses using one of the five symbols. Use devices such as alliteration, metaphors, similes, etc. Prepare for a poem recital!