L ooking for S ymbolism

Symbolism as Commentary Often times an author would like to make a comment on the world or society in general. Symbolism allows the author to comment and or relate to generalized issues without disrupting plot or character’s arcs.

Symbolism variety of meaning Personal – meaning that is uniquely associated with our experiences as an individual. (the reader) Contextual – private meaning created by the author and is expressed in the diction and ideas of a piece of work.

Symbolism variety of meaning Cultural -- Meaning uniquely influenced by the current culture. Example: Dogs represent faithfulness in China while in India and South Asia they are symbolic of impurity. Universal – a meaning that is given to a thing by most people and cultures. Example : Lions suggest deity, power and courage in many cultures.

Why is Symbolism used? Symbolism sets up relationships. Symbolism establishes an arrangement of various parts of the whole to tie things together. Does the symbolism exist for more than the beauty of the diction? Ornamentation. Does the symbolism appeal to the senses, emotion, or to the intellect?

What do you do when asked to identify and explain symbolism in a piece of literature? First, begin by making make a list of potential symbols.

Steps to figure out Symbolism Eliminate all incomprehensible symbolic idea from the list. From a list of ten items reduce the list to the strongest three. Strongest means the symbols you are best able to create persuasive arguments for. For each symbol follow the following steps. Make a written display (graphic organizer) that connects ideas to one another – example: a Venn diagram.

Analysis of Symbolism What relationships does the object or idea connect to in the story. To characters, to situations, to universal truths. What personal reaction does one have to the symbol both within and outside of the context of the story.

Analysis of Symbolism Is there direct or indirect connections between lines of dialog or actions within a scene or the entire work. Are there meanings outside of literature that brings other meanings to the symbol? Is there historical ideas connected to the symbol? Are there societal, scientific national ideas connected to the symbol?

Symbols in the Heat of the Night “ The Slap” Virgil’s wallet Sparta The train whistle They call me Mr. Tibbs The Chief’s gum Delores Purty Mississippi The Pie Cotton field The four young men who attack Virgil Endicott’s orchid Gillespie touches the Black Jockey Gillespie spits out the gum- after the mayor say, “Our last sheriff would have shot Tibbs one second after he slapped Endicott”. The Cock’s crow Fern root The cemetery Song Foul Owl on the Prowl tied to image of Ralph “You are just like the rest of us?” The train Gillespie’s carries Virgil’s bag.

Write a complete five paragraph essay about the symbolism you discovered in In the Heat of the Night. How does Norman Jewison’s (The Director) use of symbolism show his perception of the dual nature of the black/white relationship and America in the middle of the 20 th century. In the Heat of the Night Assignment