1. Symbolism & Literary Symbolism
English 9
Handra

2. Symbols Recycling Forever What does the symbol represent?
Poison

4. Definitions
A symbol is anything that hints at something else, usually something abstract, such as and idea or belief.
A literary symbol is an object, a person, a situation, or an action that has a literal meaning in a story but suggests or represents other meanings.

5. What is symbolism?
The use of a concrete object to represent an abstract idea
The use of an object that has both literal and figurative meaning; it represents both itself and something else
The use of an ordinary object, event, animal, or person to which we have attached extraordinary meaning and significance

6. Literary Symbols
Often a figure of speech in which a person, object, or situation represent something in addition to its literal meaning
Often have a previously agreed upon meaning, and therefore, suggest ideas more universal than the physical aspect itself

7. Most commonly, a symbol will present itself in the form of:
A symbol may appear in a work of literature in a number of different ways to suggest a number of different things.
Most commonly, a symbol will present itself in the form of:
a word
a figure of speech
an event
the total action
a character

8. Symbols General Symbols Specific Symbols
A general symbol is universal in its meaning.
If removed from literature, it would still suggest a larger meaning.
The following slides are examples of general symbols.
A specific symbol is not universal in its meaning.
It acquires a specific meaning based on how it relates to the content of the literature.
The symbol’s significance exists only within the content created by the author.

9. Symbolic Meaning of Colors
Red : immoral; blood, passion, emotion, danger, or daring; often associated with fire
Black: seen as a cold and negative aspect suggesting passivity, death, ignorance, or evil; black hens are used in witchcraft as are black cats
Green : inexperience, hope; new life, immaturity; it is a comforting, refreshing human color; it is the color of plant life
Yellow : rotting, heat, decay, violence, decrepitude, old age, and the approach of death; bright; happiness
Blue : cool, calm, peaceful; an insubstantial color in the real world except as translucency, the void of heavens
Pink : innocence, femininity
Purple : royalty, bruising or pain
Brown : a color somewhere between russet and black; it is the color of earth and ploughed land and soil, it represents humility and poverty
Orange : the emblem of divine love or extreme lust; vibrancy, life
Violet : composed of red and blue, it is the color of temperance, clarity of mind
White : innocence, life, light, purity, or enlightenment

10. Nature Lightness Seasons Holidays
Light: truth, safety, warmth, knowledge
Darkness: evil, ignorance, danger
Seasons
Spring: birth, new beginning
Summer: maturity, knowledge
Autumn: decline, nearing death, growing old
Winter: death, sleep, hibernation, or stagnation
Holidays
Christmas season: birth, change for the better
Easter season: rebirth, enlightenment

11. Nature (cont’d.) Trees Apple: temptation, loss of innocence
Chestnut: foresight
Oak: strength, wisdom
Pear: blossoming, fleeting nature of life
Poplar: linked to the underworld, to pain, sacrifice, and grief, a funeral tree, symbolizes the regressive powers of nature
Sycamore: a sign of vanity and to climb it is to thrust in vain things
Pine: symbol of immortality because of its evergreen foliage

12. Nature (cont’d.)
Weeds : evil (hemlock, pigweed, etc), wildness/outcasts of society
Flowers : beauty, youth, strength, gentleness
Anemone: transience
Chrysanthemums: solar symbol; represents perfection, an autumn flower,
Rose: budding youth, romance, potential, fragility
Sunflower: Sturdiness
Violet: shyness, something petite
Lily: evokes unlawful passion, temptation, the election of one’s choice

13. Miscellaneous Objects
Water : washes away guilt, origin of life, regeneration, vehicle of cleansing
River : fluidity of life, stream of life and death
Moon : changing and returning shape, feminine symbol
Sun : source of light, heat and life; a masculine symbol
Cavern : the maternal womb
Mountain : places where heaven and earth meet; stability, safety, often symbolic of human pride

14. Directions
East : land of birth or rebirth; of the Sun and Venus; it is associated with renewal, youth, feasting, song and love
North : is the side which lies on the sun’s right hand and lies on either side of life; it symbolizes night sky and night wind and is the home of the Moon and the Milky Way. North represents coldness, alienation, and hostility; it is the abode of death
South : is the side which lies on the Sun’s left hand and is the hand of fire; represents warmth and comfort
West : is the land of evening, old age, and the descending passage of the sun

15. Weather/Time Snow : blanket which obscures, covers or even smothers
Fog/Mist : prevents clear vision or thinking; represents isolation; mist is often the symbol of the indeterminate phase in development when shapes have yet to be defined; they are preludes to important revelations or prologues to manifestations
Rain : sadness or despair or new life; a symbol of celestial influences the Earth receives
Wind and Storms : violent human emotions
Lightning : indicates the spark of life and the powers of fertilization; it can be either life-giving or death dealing, so it is a sign of power and strength
Morning : the time of God’s blessings; the beginning of when all is still uncorrupted; symbol of purity and promise
Rainbows : also intermediaries and pathways between Heaven and Earth; mostly are generally heralds of good and are linked with cycles of rebirth, they may also serve as prologues to disturbance
Thunder : the voice of God or gods

16. Animals Dove : peace, purity, simplicity Fox : slyness, cleverness
Raven : death, destruction; they often play prophetic roles or function as a conductor of the soul
Lion : a solar symbol, power, pride
Peacock : pride, vanity
Serpent/Snake : temptation, evil
Mouse : shyness, meekness
Hawk : sharp, keen eyesight
Owl : wisdom, rational knowledge; messenger of death
Salmon : instinct; sacred wisdom
Cats : are often viewed as serpents of the underworld; they also symbolize cunning,forethought, and ingenuity
Lamb : serves as a manifestation of the power of Spring and renewal, sacrificial element, the children of God
Cuckoo : jealousy and parasitism, it lays eggs in the nests of other birds; laziness

17. Assignment Practice Explaining Symbols - With a partner, explain both the literal and figurative meaning of the symbols on your worksheet.
Individually:
THINK
PAIR
SHARE
Complete the worksheet
Illustrate the 3 symbols
Provide 2 quotations for each symbol (include page numbers)
Explain who or what the symbol represents
With a partner, share your quotations and analysis of the representation
Each ask two clarifying questions about the content of your work
As a class, we will discuss the symbols

18. Project SYMBOLISM DICTIONARY 65 POINTS
You will be creating a symbolism dictionary to go along with To Kill a Mockingbird.
Your dictionary must include 10 universal literary symbols.
Provide a definition of the symbol
Provide a quote from the text, which shows how the symbol is used
Provide an explanation of the symbol, and what it means in relation to the text
Provide an illustration of the symbol
Your dictionary must also include the 3 symbols discussed in class.
Project
SYMBOLISM DICTIONARY
65 POINTS

19. Up to 10 Points
Write down something in your world that bothers you, particularly something you find unjust.
What is an object you could use to represent, or symbolize, this injustice?
Come up with your own saying utilizing your symbol.
Create a poster for your symbol including the above information and an illustration.
Write a reflection describing what you find unjust and why. Explain your symbol. Why did you choose it? Why is it relevant to today’s society/your life? What lesson can your symbol teach others?
BONUS
Create your own symbol