symbolism-1227469308224///////////////////////119-9 (1).ppt

eduoj

1. Symbolism
Meanings beyond the obvious

2. A symbol is…
an object that stands for itself anda
greater idea.
We see symbols every day…

3. PART 1: HOW MANY SYMBOLS CAN YOU ASSOCIATE WITH UNIVERSAL,
ABSTRACT IDEAS OR VALUES??
HINT: Don’t limit yourselves to objects, think also about shapes and colors or
just partsof a picture

4. 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.

5. Types of Symbolism
1. Romantic Symbolism: Symbolism that conveys emotions,
ideals, or themes associated with love, beauty, or nature. -
Example:The red rose symbolizes passionate love in
Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."
2. Emotional Symbolism: Symbolism that represents
emotions or states of mind.
–Example: Dark clouds symbolize despair and impending
doom in Gothic literature.
3.Religious Symbolism: Symbolism drawing on religious
traditions, beliefs, or figures.
-Example: The serpent symbolizes temptation and evil in
Milton's "Paradise Lost."

6. Types of Symbolism
4. Animal Symbolism: Symbolism where animals represent
ideas, traits, or themes.
-Example: The white whale, Moby Dick, symbolizes nature's
power and unpredictability in Melville's novel.
5. Weather Symbolism: Symbolism where weather conditions
represent emotions, events, or atmospheres.
-Example: A storm symbolizes inner turmoil or conflict in
Brontë's "Wuthering Heights."
6. Object Symbolism: Symbolism is where objects carry
deeper meanings beyond their literal function.
-Example: The green light across the bay symbolizes hope and
dreams in Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby."

7. Types of Symbolism
7. Color Symbolism: Symbolism where colors represent ideas,
emotions, or states of mind.
-Example: The color white symbolizes purity and innocence in
Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter."
8. Number Symbolism: Certain numbers carry symbolic meaning. -
Example: The number three symbolizes completeness or unity in
Dante's "Divine Comedy," structured in Inferno, Purgatoric, and
Paradiso.
9. Sound Symbolism: Certain sounds or phonetic patterns evoke
specific meanings or emotions.
-Example: The repetitive tolling of bells in Poe's "The Bells"
symbolizes different stages of life.
10. Place or Setting Symbolism: Locations or settings symbolize
particular ideas or themes.
-Example: The scaffold in Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter"
symbolizes both shame and redemption.

8. Types of Symbolism
Character Symbolism: Characters themselves symbolize larger ideas,
archetypes, or qualities.
-Example: Simon in Golding's "Lord of the Flies" symbolizes
spirituality and goodness amidst chaos.
12. Action or Gesture Symbolism: Actions or gestures carry symbolic
meaning.
-Example: Gatsby reaching towards the green light symbolizes his
pursuit of the American Dream in Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby."
13.Mythological or Cultural Symbolism: Symbols drawn from
mythology, folklore, or cultural traditions.
-Example: Odysseus in Homer's "The Odyssey" symbolizes the
journey of life and its challenges.

9. Symbolism is be 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.

10. 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.”

11. 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.

12. 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.)

13. One warning…
Many “symbols” are personal interpretations –and
unintended by the author!
Consider this dialogue from Peanuts:
Lucy:
“Do you always
have the
people’s hands
behind their
back to
symbolize your
shyness?”
So… don’t go crazy with this stuff! It’s all open to interpretation…
Charlie Brown:
“No, I just don’t know
how to draw hands.”

14. What do these images symbolize?

15. And these…

16. And these…

17. The end. 