Symbols

A symbol is a person, place, or object that stands for something beyond itself.

Look for references to concrete objects. Procedure: Make a two-column chart. In the left column, write down the concrete object. In the right column, write what it may symbolize. Symbol Meaning??????? Evidence

Pay special attention to objects or places accompanied by a lengthy description, repetition, or special placement. Procedure: Analyze the title. List objects mentioned more than once. List objects that appear at crucial moments. Examples and Observations: Batman as a Symbol Bruce Wayne: People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy, and I can't do that as Bruce Wayne. As a man I'm flesh and blood. I can be ignored, I can be destroyed, but as a symbol, as a symbol I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting. Alfred Pennyworth: What symbol? Bruce Wayne: Something elemental, something terrifying. Alfred Pennyworth: I assume that as you're taking on the underworld, this symbol is a persona to protect those you care about from reprisals. Bruce Wayne: You thinking about Rachel? Alfred Pennyworth: Actually, sir, I was thinking of myself. (Christian Bale and Michael Caine in Batman Begins, 2005)

Symbols in Poetry Literary Symbols: Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. (Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken." Mountain Interval, 1920)

Colours as Symbols

Colours Black- Night/evil/mystery Blue- life/water/purity Brown- earth/Earth/warm/comfortable Gold- Royalty/wealth Green- nature/eternal life Orange- energy Pink- child like innocence Purple- royalty/knowledge Red- blood/love/infatuation/anger Yellow- joy/happiness