1. Review with a Partner: In your own words, what do _______ mean?
Figurative Language
Symbolism
Theme Concept
Theme Statement
What is the relationship between a theme and the subject or plot of a text?
How does <<choose your own adventure>> literary device rely on figurative language for readers to understand?

2. Journal #3: Symbolism Learning Targets:
Students will be able to identify and explain the meaning of symbols in literature and symbolism’s connection to theme.
Students will be able to define symbolism.

3. Symbolism Definition:
Any reoccurring object (thing, person, animal, etc.) incorporated into a piece of literature to represent an idea figuratively. Symbolism always relates to theme.
What is figurative language?
Symbolism can take different forms. Generally, it is a physical object representing an idea to give a meaning that is much deeper and more significant.

4. Example of Symbolism connected to Theme: Kong: Skull Island (2017)
What does the AK-47 symbolically represent in Kong: Skull Island?
What symbol did you see??
Theme: “Sometimes an enemy doesn’t exist ‘til you go looking for one.” King Kong wasn’t their enemy, until they started fighting him.

5. Example of Symbolism connected to Theme: Kong: Skull Island (2017)
Idea/Concept
Theme Statement
AK-47
“Sometimes an enemy doesn’t exist ‘til you go looking for one.”

6. In your own words… what is the relationship between theme and symbolism?

7. How do theme and symbolism apply to this structure?

8. Example Symbol
See if you can meet the learning targets from the following video clip from one of Mr. Smith’s favorite movies.
What was the symbol in the clip? How do you know?
What might have been the figurative meaning of the symbol you identified? What did it represent?
What theme does it connect to?

9. Music! “Big Parade” by The Lumineers
Listen to the song!
What is the song about?
What stands out to you from the lyrics?
What words are confusing?
What’s the structure of the song?
What is the theme statement of the song?
What does the parade symbolize?
What do we know about the Parade?
What is it like?
What feelings do people normally have about parades?
Treat this like a test:
Write a thesis statement about the symbolism and purpose of the song.

10. After thesis focus questions:
Who is the “I” voice (the person watching the parade)?
What do we know about them?
What is the symbol?
What are the theme concepts?
What is significant about “I was blind, I was blind, now I see”?
What do they see?
What are they being saved from?
Is the “I” voice cynical before or after being in love?

11. What are the elements of a thesis statement?

12. Thesis Statements need to have 3 parts to meet standards
Clear/Specific (HOW) – proper nouns, clear phrasing, titles, author names, etc.
2. Argument/Claim (WHAT) – the idea that you are trying to prove in your writing. The claim is your answer to the question.
3. “SO WHAT” – why what you are writing is important, why it matters to:
the text,
history,
Theme statement,
impact on a character, etc.
 “WHAT” (Arguable Claim)
 “SO WHAT”

13. Thesis Statements Additionally:
thesis statements have to be in third person (no “I” or “you”).
You never need to say “I think”
Do not include evidence from the text to support your claim.
Are ONLY 1 sentence
Do not include “thesis” or “my thesis statement”
Formal writing!

14. Music! “Big Parade” by The Lumineers
Listen to the song!
What is the song about?
What stands out to you from the lyrics?
What words are confusing?
What is the theme statement of the song?
What does the parade symbolize?
What do we know about the Parade?
What is it like?
What feelings do people normally have about parades?
Treat this like a test:
Write a thesis statement about the symbolism and purpose of the song.

15. Write a new thesis on your notecard!
HOW
WHAT
SO WHAT
“Big Parade” by the Lumineers
symbolism
Leading to the theme that …

16. 4 3 2
1-0
Focused and clear thesis
Thesis insightfully addresses prompt
Argument has depth and complexity
Clear thesis
Thesis addresses prompt
Argument is present
Thesis is placed appropriately
Thesis present, but lacks clarity
Thesis attempts to address prompt
Attempts to make argument
Thesis undeveloped or unclear
Thesis does not address prompt
Lacks argument
Thesis is not placed appropriately

17. Thesis Writing Can Be Hard and Takes Lots of Editing!
In “The Big Parade” the parade symbolizes seeing truth creating the theme of love and truth.
In “The Big Parade” by The Lumineers the parade symbolizes seeing the world how it really is, good or bad, creating the theme statement that love reveals true freedom.
In “The Big Parade” by The Lumineers the parade symbolizes seeing the world as it really is—good or bad—creating the theme statement that love reveals truth.
In “The Big Parade” by The Lumineers the parade symbolizes the singer’s newfound critical eye, after falling in love he can see the cynical quality of the parade; creating the band’s message that love reveals truth—good or bad.

18. color code your thesis: Blue = 1) Specific and 2) clear Red = Your claim is 1) Arguable and 2) answering the question Purple = So what?