How Do Symbolism and Irony Help Writers Tell Stories? Feature Menu Symbolism Allegory Irony Verbal Irony Situational Irony Dramatic Irony Your Turn

How Do Symbolism and Irony Help Writers Tell Stories? The best stories are the ones that present life and people the way they really are. mysterious unpredictable complicated

How Do Symbolism and Irony Help Writers Tell Stories? Writers use irony to create true-to-life stories. Irony and symbolism help writers convey the deeper meaning that runs beneath the surface of a story the way real life surprises us, whether to our delight or disappointment [End of Section]

Symbolism A symbol is a person, place, thing, or event to which we have attached a special meaning.

Symbolism Writers use symbols to suggest layers of meaning speak more powerfully to the reader’s emotions and imagination make their stories rich and memorable

Symbolism Symbols may be personal public

Symbolism Personal symbols Personal symbols have special meaning for an individual.

Symbolism Public symbols Public symbols are widely recognized throughout a culture and sometimes even universally. They often have been handed down over time are widely known show up in art and literature

Characteristics of Symbols Symbolism Not all literary works contain symbols. How do readers know when something is symbolic in a story and when it is not? Characteristics of Symbols Are often visual Often reappear throughout the work Are a form of figurative language and stand for something essentially different from themselves Usually relate to the work’s theme

Symbolism How do I know it’s a symbol? Ask yourself Is it an object? a character, animal, or idea? Does it appear throughout the story? Could it stand for some idea or emotion beyond its literal meaning?

Symbolism What does each of these symbols stand for? Why do you think they have taken on the meanings they have? justice love luck

Symbolism Quick Check Yolanda had never taken a risk in her life, and certainly not by herself. She squinted at the mountain’s summit; it looked so daunting. Colorful hats and snowboards flashed against the glistening white snow. Yolanda tugged at her protective ski gear and poles like a knight preparing for battle. Could she do it? Then, she thought of the polar bear keychain her uncle had given her. Polar bears look cute and cuddly, he’d said, but they’re one of nature’s most formidable animals. Which symbol in the passage appears to be a public symbol, and which may be a personal symbol for the character?

Allegory The characters, setting, and actions of an allegory all stand for something beyond themselves, such as abstract ideas moral qualities historical figures or events

Allegory An allegory is often a story in which all of the characters symbolize certain vices and virtues. Sometimes allegorical characters are named for the abstract qualities they represent, such as Good Deeds or Pride.

Allegory Allegories can be read on two levels: literal and symbolic are often intended to teach a moral lesson or make a comment about goodness and vice

Allegory: Fable One type of allegory is the fable. Fables are brief stories that teach practical lessons about life are set in fantasy worlds where animals speak and think often have animal characters that symbolize vices and virtues

Allegory: Parable Another kind of allegory is the parable. Parables are brief stories that teach lessons about moral behavior or ethics The Good Samaritan are set in the ordinary, everyday world feature humans as characters

Allegory Characters and places in allegories often have names that reveal their symbolic significance: Characters Places Death Vanity Good Deeds Ignorance Celestial City Vanity Fair Hill of Difficulty Valley of Fear

Allegory Quick Check One 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” On a symbolic level, what does it mean that only Good Deeds stays with Everyman to the end?

Irony Irony is the difference between what we expect and what actually happens. Writers use irony to reflect the real world— one where expectations aren’t always fulfilled and unexpected events surprise us. Alicia’s grandfather taught her to play chess a few weeks ago. Now, she consistently wins matches against her grandfather and members of his chess club.

Irony There are three basic types of irony: verbal irony situational irony dramatic irony

Irony Verbal Irony Verbal irony occurs when someone says one thing but means the opposite. It is the simplest kind of irony can become sarcasm if taken to a harsh extreme “I’m not sure I’ve read enough books about computers,” said Mr. Manor.

How might this opening sentence be an example of verbal irony? Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice begins with an excellent example of verbal irony. “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” How might this opening sentence be an example of verbal irony?

Irony Situational Irony Situational irony occurs when an event is not just surprising but actually contrary to what we expected. The dentist was surprised to find a cavity when she examined her own dental X-rays.

Irony Situational irony is often more important to the storyteller than other kinds of irony because it is often humorous and sometimes shocking may mock human plans and intentions, which in real life often come to little

Irony Dramatic Irony Dramatic irony occurs when we know something the character does not. Maria was not expecting to receive a copy of the literary magazine because she never received a response to her poetry submission. Readers know that the acceptance letter was lost in the mail and that Maria’s poem was published.

Irony Dramatic irony occurs when the reader knows something important the character does not know. Dramatic irony adds greatly to the tension in stories, plays, and movies heightens the sense of humor in comedies and deepens the sense of dread in tragedies [End of Section]

Irony Quick Check Identify each item as one of the following: 1. After tripping over his own feet, the teen exclaims, “That was graceful!” Identify each item as one of the following: verbal irony situational irony dramatic irony 2. The movie audience knows that a hostile alien is just past the door. “Don’t go in there!” one viewer yells at the screen. 3. The guest opens his mouth to compliment the chef, but before he can speak, he burps long and loudly.

Symbolism and Irony Your Turn Analyze Symbolism and Irony 1. Imagine you are explaining irony to someone. Make up an example of each type of irony: verbal, situational, and dramatic. Ask a partner to evaluate your examples for clarity. 2. In a small group, discuss symbols you have seen in television programs and movies. Write down three symbols, and explain what they represent.

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