Symbolism

Symbols A symbol is something that represents something else – for example, the lion can be a symbol of courage. We can decipher the symbolic meaning of literature by analyzing the symbols that the author includes. There are three main types of symbols. “Conventional” or “public” symbols. Symbols that exploit widely shared associations. Symbols that are created by writers that we need to interpret.

Conventional Symbols Many symbols are what we call conventional symbols or “public” symbols. For example, “the Cross” or “the Red, White, and Blue” These terms refer to symbolic objects which derive their significance from the culture which they belong to. What does it mean?

Symbols by Association These are symbols too but they don’t necessarily have a definitive “literal” meaning like the others. Their symbolic meaning is the product of a widely shared associated between an object or even or action wit a specific concept.

Poetic Symbolism Some writers use symbols whose significance they largely create themselves. These pose a more difficult problem of interpretation than “conventional symbols” and “symbols by association.” ex: “Ah Sunflower, weary of time, Who countest the steps of the sun; Seeking after that sweet golden clime Where the traveler’s journey is done;”  Here is an excerpt from William Blake's “Ah Sunflower.” In it, Blake refers to life cycle and uses sunflowers to represent humankind and that they desire everlasting life. 

le af fa ll s) one lines l(a “l(a” e. e. cummings 1958     “l(a” e. e. cummings 1958 Example of concrete poetry in which the language of the poem is arranged to create an image or picture showing the central idea of the poem. Another example Subway exit: spring 221. Do Ven diagram. Next slide.

Leaf Falling Loneliness Similarities Do together : What the Venn diagram made clearly visible were the areas of overlap between the apparently unrelated ideas of What is similar a leaf falling and loneliness: the sense of isolation or separation, the downward movement of the leaf matching the depression or "downness" in the feeling of loneliness. The work with the cycle-wheel enabled the students to visualize the tree as autumnal, perhaps losing its last leaf - the lonely letter "l" that begins the poem - and to see a connection to the cold, death-like aspects of loneliness.

Personification Occurs when objects, ideas, or animals are given human qualities. Ex: The sun smiled down on me. Personification can be found in a variety of forms. Show Mac commercial.

MR. CLEAN Whose this guy?

Who am I. What am I like. I’m strong, healthy, what’s the idea Who am I ? What am I like? I’m strong, healthy, what’s the idea. What is the Jolly Green Giant going to make you feel, what is he like?

Example of Personification Pink is what red looks like when it kicks off its shoes and lets its hair down. Pink is the boudoir color, the cherubic color, the color of Heaven's gates. . . . Pink is as laid back as beige, but while beige is dull and bland, pink is laid back with attitude.
(Tom Robbins, "The Eight-Story Kiss." Wild Ducks Flying Backward. Random House, 2005)

Allegory The basic meaning of allegory is ‘to say another thing’ ‘to speak otherwise’. Allegory: Is a simple story whose major purpose is to teach a moral lesson. An allegory can always be read on two levels – one literal, the other symbolic. In an allegory the things or people of a story represent something entirely other – perhaps an idea or a moral lesson. For example. WARNING: What I am about to say may sound totally crazy to you. However, I teach Little Red Cap every year to high school seniors. Actually....I will refer you to The Brother's Grimm version called Little Red Cap.....it is an easy read..and shed's a little light on the innocent girl we have grown up knowing. Symbolism: The Red Cap: The color red has always been associated with evil, wicked women. So, the question becomes why give a red cap to an innocent. Also, since red is so bright it also looked upon as a source enticement. Thus, the notion that she is innocent gets thrown out the window. Also, her mother tells her to go straight to grandmother's house. Do you tell an obedient child not to stray. In the Grimm's version, her mother actually uses the ,"Do not stray from the path." So, the question becomes, could the red cap be symbolic of evil women? The Wolf: Of course, it is very easy to say that wolf was a predator who ate Grandma and LRC. However, the question becomes could the wolf have been associated with LRC and her Grandma. Upon intial meeting, she doesn't appear to be afraid. Don't she and the wolf seem kind of familiar with each other? He did know the way to Grandma's house without getting directions. Was Grandma that popular? So, is the wolf an innocent victim deceived by a treacherous little girl or is he the symbolic man who is out to get what he can no matter who gets hurt in the process?

Where to find allegories Allegories can be as short as a single sentence or as long as a ten volume book. Poems, novels, plays and film can all be allegorical. Fables and parables are types of allegories.

Two Types of Allegory There are two main types of allegory: Historical/Political Allegory Allegory of Ideas

Historical/Political Allegory In historical/political allegory historical persons and events are referred to via metaphor and symbolism. Political ideas of systems may also be represented. What ex did we see of this in a poem we read: answer dream in Harlem.

Animal Farm On a literal level George Orwell’s novel is about the animals on a farm rising up in rebellion against their human keepers. On a symbolic level this novel is actually a historical political allegory describing the development of Russian communism and the power struggles between it’s main actors.

Old Major = Karl Marx

Napoleon = Joseph Stalin

Allegory of Ideas In the Allegory of Ideas characters personify abstract concepts and the story attempts to teach the audience a lesson.

The Bible Many bible stories are allegorical, The apple that Adam receives from Eve is symbolic of the knowledge of Good and Evil and is thus allegorical. The serpent is often read as symbolizing temptation or true evil. f

Fables and Parables Fables and Parables are also considered examples of allegories of ideas. The Boy Who Cried Wolf: There was a boy tending the sheep who would continually go up to the embankment and shout, 'Help, there's a wolf!' The farmers would all come running only to find out that what the boy said was not true. Then one day there really was a wolf but when the boy shouted, they didn't believe him and no one came to his aid. The whole flock was eaten by the wolf. The story shows that this is how liars are rewarded: even if they tell the truth, no one believes them.

THE BOY WHO CRIED 'WOLF There was a boy tending the sheep who would continually go up to the embankment and shout, 'Help, there's a wolf!' The farmers would all come running only to find out that what the boy said was not true. Then one day there really was a wolf but when the boy shouted, they didn't believe him and no one came to his aid. The whole flock was eaten by the wolf. The story shows that this is how liars are rewarded: even if they tell the truth, no one believes them.

Metaphor Explained A metaphor, the comparison between two unrelated nouns (persons, places, or things). express a connection, or a desire for a connection, between humans and the world that exists around them. What humans notice about this world are the obvious and recurring cycles: The sun traveling across the skies into darkness and then emerging again; the yearly cycles from Spring to Winter and back again; the human life cycle from birth to death and then new birth.

Metaphor Example I saw suddenly a beautiful face, and then another and another, and then a beautiful child’s face…and I tried all that day to find words for what this had meant to me, and I could not find any words that seemed to me worthy, or as lovely as that sudden emotion. And that evening… I found, suddenly, the expression. I do not mean that I found words, but there came an equation…” The apparition of these faces in a crowd Petals on a wet black bough. Ezra Pound A metaphor, the comparison between two unrelated nouns (persons, places, or things). Whare are the nouns in this poem. Simile ex: the faces are as or are like petals. Students make their own ven diagrams for faces and petals with a partner. Face/similarities/petals