1. Imagery, Symbolism, and Theme
And all that fluff.

2. Imagery So what is imagery?
Imagery is the picture the author creates in your mind. It’s why our favorite books are so interesting! We can see it happening!

3. The Five Senses
When an author uses imagery, he or she usually will appeal to the five senses. These are called sensory details.
If you can see, taste, smell, touch, or hear something you’ve just experienced imagery.
Example: “He felt like the flowers were waving him a hello.” What picture do you see here?

4. Sensory Details
Sight: Although they could not see outside the cabin, they could hear the eerie tapping, tapping, tapping, of his knife upon their door.
Sound: Tyler's socks, still soaked with sweat from Tuesday's P.E. class, filled the classroom with an aroma akin to that of salty, week-old, rotting fish.
Taste: The familiar comforting warmth of the chicken noodle soup instantly made Mike feel much better.
Touch: The icy breeze gently brushed against the hair on her neck, and goose-bumps shortly followed.

5. What Does Imagery Do?
Imagery helps set the stage so that the reader can imagine the events of the story against their backdrop. It’s a main part of understanding the SETTING. Where have you seen this in LOTF?
Imagery also contributes to the MOOD of a story because of the emotional response it evokes in readers. How do you feel when reading LOTF?

6. One Last Bit on Imagery
Imagery can help us to better understand the THEME, SETTING, MOOD, and overall purpose of the novel.
By paying attention to the images the author is trying to create, we can also catch on to his or her opinion on the subject.

7. What are some examples of symbols that you already know?
Symbolism
Symbolism refers to when a word, place, character, or object means something beyond what it is on a literal level
What are some examples of symbols that you already know?

9. Symbols It can be harder to find symbols when reading a book.
For Lord of the Flies I’ve given you some of the symbols, you just need to tell me what they mean. How you ask?
Most often in stories, symbols come in the form of important objects or characters. (HINT HINT).

10. Symbols in Literature
Symbols appear frequently in literature. For example…
A character could represent hope.
A ring could represent love.
Springtime could represent rebirth.
A house could represent loss.
If you see an object pop up often or if a character is rarely seen without it, it’s probably a symbol.

11. Is This Really Necessary?
In a word? YES! Symbolism allows authors to:
add double levels of meaning to stories (one that is literal and obvious as well as a profound, symbolic one).
capture the reader's interest by making him/her think deeply.
contribute to the story's universality and theme.
make their stories rich and memorable.

12. What Do You Mean, Rollins?
OK, OK. Let’s look at a few more popular examples:

13. The Hunger Games
Mockingjay: Symbol of the strength of the lower class

14. Harry Potter
Harry’s Scar: Represents everything that sets Harry apart from the time he is a baby. His scar also throbs around evil, showing his sensitivity towards the Dark Arts and connection to He Who Must Not Be Named.

15. Thor’s Hammer
Represents his character and worthiness. Remember how in the first movie he couldn’t pick it up when he was a punk? Or in Avengers 2 where no one could.

16. I KNOW.

17. Symbolism in LOTF
When you’re filling out the worksheet, focus on WHEN the conch is used. What is happening when Piggy uses his glasses? When the pig dies, what is happening to the boys?
If you look at the setting and action, you’ll understand the characters, symbols, plot, and theme.

18. Last Word on Symbolism:
Oh and FYI: Most of the main characters are symbols of a branch of society. That one’s for free.

19. Theme
Here are a few things on theme. We’ll delve more into it later, but definitely be thinking about it as you read LOTF.

20. What is It? The literary term theme refers to:
the idea on which a story is built.
the central idea, or insight, that a story reveals about life or human behavior.
Pick a topic that you see popping up in Lord of the Flies. How do you think Golding FEELS about that topic? There is your theme.

21. What Is It Not? Good vs. Evil Power Society
Try instead: Does Golding think man is good or evil?
Power
Try instead: What does power do to us?
Society
Try instead: How would you say that Golding sees society’s structure?

22. What Else is Theme Not? A moral: Don’t tell me what to do!
A plot: I get it. Boys get stranded on an island. YAWN. WHAT DOES IT MEAN??
A subject: Once again, good vs. evil, society, love. Those are subjects, not themes.
A theme statement should never, EVER contain the word “you.” (Ex: “You are in charge of your own destiny.” Try instead: “Man is in charge of his own destiny.” Make it apply to every one!)

23. Whaaaaa? Subject/Topic: Dishonesty
Moral: You should not lie to your loved ones.
Theme: Being dishonest with loved ones can cause pain and heartache.
See the difference?

24. Clues to Help You
Writers often express theme through what their characters learn.
Does the main character change? Does he or she learn something? (AHEM)
Conflict helps reveal theme. (AHEM!).
How is the conflict resolved? What does the resolution tell us about life? (AHEM!!)
Sometimes the story's title gives clues to its theme. (AHEM!!!)

25. Last Words on Theme
The theme applies to the ENTIRE work, not just parts of it. This means that you may not know the theme until you finish the novel (which also requires you to read it…)
Keep in mind…
There is not one single correct way to state the theme of a work!
People may express the same theme in different words.
People may have different opinions about what the theme of a story is.
The best works of literature usually have more than one theme.