1. Themes & Symbolism

2. What is Theme?
Themes can be found everywhere: literature, stories, art, movies etc…
The theme of a fable is its moral.
The theme of a parable is its teaching.
The theme of a piece of literature is its view about life and how people behave.

3. Theme is… underlying meaning of the story, a universal truth,
a significant statement the story is making about society, human nature, or the human condition.

4. Theme = idea
The theme of a literary work is its underlying central idea or the generalization it communicates about life.

5. Theme...the meaning of life?
The theme expresses the author's opinion or raises a question about human nature or the meaning of human experience.

6. At times the author's theme may not confirm or agree with your own beliefs.
Even then, if skillfully written, the work will still have a theme that illuminates some aspects of true human experience.

7. Be aware that the theme never completely explains the story.
It is simply one of the elements that make up the whole.
Some short stories have secondary themes as well.

8. Meanings beyond the obvious
Symbolism
Meanings beyond the obvious

9. A symbol is… an object that stands for itself and a greater idea.
We see symbols every day…

10. In literature, symbolism…
creates a direct, meaningful link between…
a specific object, scene, character, or action
and
abstract ideas, values, persons or ways of life.

11. Symbolism is used to… Provide meaning beyond the obvious:
Emphasize key ideas or themes:
A river can represent the flow of life…
… or its depth may represent the unknown…
… the water might be purity…
… or there could be dangers beneath the surface.

12. Draw attention to the plot:
A walk into a tunnel – or change from day to night – could show movement from good to evil, or that something bad is coming…
A storm at a critical moment can represent the intense emotion and trouble…
And dawn may show the end of conflict, the “start of a new day.”

13. And give insights into characters:
In Poe’s “Telltale Heart,” the sound of the beating heart represents the man’s guilt…
…a character’s name may tell you something about them, in “The Lottery” Mr. Graves has authority over the killing…
… and a character’s appearance can be symbolic – in Cask of Amontillado, Fortunato wears a fool’s costume – and he is, in fact, a fool for trusting the narrator.

14. How can you spot a symbol?
There’s no one way, but some things to look for are:
Colors or objects that are used repeatedly: if it’s mentioned often, it’s probably important
Unusual character names
Objects / creatures that have cultural meanings (lions = strength, owls = wisdom, etc.)

15. Colors Possibly the most pervasive of literary symbols
Shade is important—can show the potency of the symbolic meaning
Consider combinations of colors (separate or blended)
As many colors can be seen positively or negatively, their effects and contexts must be taken into account

16. White Associated with light Purity and innocence Timelessness
Blinding truth
Death and the supernatural
Mirrors = reflection

17. Yellow Cheerfulness, happiness, warmth, and joy
Hope (e.g. yellow ribbons)
Hazard and danger (e.g. road signs)
The sun (and its meanings)
Gold = sovereignty and wealth
Cowardice and deceit

18. Red Blood; life and death Energy
Violence, disorder, sacrifice, rage, danger
Warmth and heat

19. Green Fertility, growth, and the abundance of nature Hope Renewal Envy
Naïveté
Rottenness, decay, and death

20. Blue Closely associated with water Also associated with the sky
Spirituality and religious beliefs
Peace, calm, stability and order
Intelligence
Sadness and depression

21. Black Closely associated with darkness and night
Darkness, chaos, and emptiness
Mystery and the unknown
Primal wisdom
The unconscious
Evil
Melancholy

22. Orange Red’s intensity and aggressiveness, tempered by yellow’s cheer
Vibrancy, warmth and joy
Courage and strength
The sun (and its meanings)
Light orange = summer
Dark orange = autumn

23. Purple
Royalty, nobility, and authority
Mystery
Spirituality

24. Brown Wholesomeness and earthiness
Dependability, simplicity, and friendliness
Health
Permanence
Dullness