1. Kaelyn Tharp, Matteo Macaluso, and Nick Shealy
Symbol and Allegory
Kaelyn Tharp, Matteo Macaluso, and Nick Shealy

2. Symbolism
 A symbol is defined as something that means more than what it is. (Ex. A dove symbolizes peace)
 A symbol is defined as something that means more than what it is. (Ex. A dove symbolizes peace)
Matteo Macaluso

3. Characteristics of Symbols
Difficult to distinguish from images and metaphors
Increase the significance of a poem
Richest yet most difficult of poetic figures
Suggest a variety of specific meanings
Vary in identification and definition
• Symbols are difficult to distinguish from images and metaphors
• They increase the significance of a poem
• The symbol is the richest yet most difficult of the poetic figures
• Symbols can suggest a great variety of specific meanings
• They vary in identification and definition given them by their authors
• Accurate interpretation of the symbol requires delicacy, tact, and good sense
• WARNING: Avoid the tendency to indulge in symbol-hunting and to see anything in the work as symbolic
Matteo Macaluso

4. Analyzing Symbols
Accurate interpretations require delicacy, tack, and sense.
Avoid symbol-hunting
Support symbols with textual evidence
Nick Shealy

5. Allegory
A narrative or description that has a second meaning beneath the surface (Ex. Animal Farm is an allegory of the Russian Revolution)
A narrative or description that has a second meaning beneath the surface (Ex. Animal Farm is an allegory of the Russian Revolution)
Kaelyn Tharp

6. Characteristics of Allegories
The surface story may have its own interest
Sometimes defined as an extended metaphor
Involves a system of related comparisons
Less popular in modern literature
Effective way of making the abstract concrete
Has been used effectively even in fairly short poems
• The surface story may have its own interest, but the author’s major interest is in the ulterior meaning.
• Sometimes defined as an extended metaphor or a series of related symbols
• It is unlike an extended metaphor in that it involves a system of related comparisons rather than one comparison drawn out.
• Allegory is less popular in modern literature than in medieval and Renaissance writing
• An effective way of making the abstract concrete and has occasionally been used effectively even in fairly short poems
Kaelyn Tharp

7. Analyzing Allegories Plot, characters, and themes
Appears to be an extended metaphor
Notice patterns
Again, avoid allegory hunting
Look for Plot, characters and themes
Appears to be an extended metaphor
Notice patterns
Again, avoid allegory hunting
Kaelyn Tharp

8. Symbols vs. Allegories
Let’s Compare and Contrast the Two!

9. Similarities Relay underlying themes and messages
Make abstract ideas concrete
Interpretations can vary
Authors decide the weight it carries
Nick Shealy

10. Differences A symbol is normally an object
An allegory goes along with a story
When analyzing an allegory look for patterns
When analyzing symbolism, look for details
Nick Shealy

11. Examples
Poems Explicated By Kaelyn Tharp, Nick Shealy, and Matteo Macaluso

12. A Poison Tree
By William Blake
I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
And I watered it in fears,
Night & morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night.
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine.
And into my garden stole,
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning glad I see;
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.
Kaelyn Tharp- Symbolism and Allegory

13. “A Poison Tree” by William Blake
Symbols
Tree-
Apple-
Garden-
Growth-
What happens in this poem?
How do the symbols influence the meaning?
What is the lesson?
What is this an allegory to?
Kaelyn Tharp

14. Up-Hill
BY CHRISTINA ROSSETTI
Does the road wind up-hill all the way?
Yes, to the very end.
Will the day’s journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.
But is there for the night a resting-place?
A roof for when the slow dark hours begin.
May not the darkness hide it from my face?
You cannot miss that inn.
Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?
Those who have gone before.
Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?
They will not keep you standing at that door.
Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak?
Of labour you shall find the sum.
Will there be beds for me and all who seek?
Yea, beds for all who come.
Nick Shealy

15. Matteo Macaluso The Star-Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key
O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming;
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream;
'Tis the star-spangled banner; O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!
Matteo Macaluso

16. Matteo Macaluso And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave, From the terror of flight and the gloom of the grave;
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!
O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land,
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just. And this be our motto— "In God is our trust; "
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.
Matteo Macaluso

17. Matteo Macaluso