Symbolism in Poetry

How does a reader interpret symbolism in poetry?

Identify flashback, foreshadowing, and symbolism within context.

SPI 0701.8.7

Activator On the next slide we will look at three

different pictures. What do these pictures represent, or symbolize? You will need to THINK!!!

Activator

What does this symbolize?

And this?

And this?

Think About It What are some other concepts or ideas

that could easily be represented by a symbol?

What is Symbolism?A symbol is something that stands for

itself, but also something larger than itself. It may be a person, an animal, an

inanimate object, or an action.

What is Symbolism?

A writer often uses a concrete object to express an abstract idea, a quality, or a belief.

A symbol may appeal to a reader's emotions and can provide a way to express an idea, communicate a message, or clarify meaning.

What is Symbolism?

A conventional symbol is one that is widely accepted and used by many writers; for example, a nightingale is a symbol for melancholy, a dove for peace, a rose for love and beauty, spring for life, and winter for death.

What is Symbolism?

A private symbol is one that an individual writer creates for a particular work of literature.

Strategies for Identifying Symbolism First, ask these two questions:

"Is some person, place, animal, object, or action emphasized in the work?”

“Is that person, place, animal, object, or action repeatedly mentioned to the point that it seems to mean more that itself?”

If so, “What else could it stand for besides itself?”

Think About It How do I identify symbolism in a text?

Let’s Practice!

Using your notes and what you know, let’s decide what

symbolism these pieces of writing have.

THE ROAD NOT TAKENby Robert Frost (1874-1963)

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I couldTo where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

THE ROAD NOT TAKENby Robert Frost (1874-1963)

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

As a Group…

What is the symbolism in this poem?Justify your answer.Is this a conventional or private symbol?

The Lightning is a Yellow ForkEmily DickinsonThe Lightning is a yellow ForkFrom Tables in the skyBy inadvertent fingers droptThe awful CutleryOf mansions never quite disclosedAnd never quite concealedThe Apparatus of the DarkTo ignorance revealed.

In Pairs….

What is the symbolism in this poem?Justify your answer.Is this a conventional or private symbol?

Mother to Sonby Langston Hughes

Well, son, I'll tell you:Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

It's had tacks in it,And splinters,

And boards torn up,And places with no carpet on the floor --

Bare.But all the time

I'se been a-climbin' on,And reachin' landin's,And turnin' corners,

And sometimes goin' in the darkWhere there ain't been no light.

Mother to Sonby Langston Hughes

So boy, don't you turn back.Don't you set down on the steps'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.

Don't you fall now --For I'se still goin', honey,

I'se still climbin',And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

On Your Own….

What is the symbolism in this poem?Justify your answer.Is this a conventional or private symbol?

POWER QUESTIONS

Power Questions1. Which words from the poem best describe

a symbolic meaning of the clay?A.No directionsB.Silent handsC.unshaped dreamsD.lacking ambition

Power Questions1. Which words from the poem best describe

a symbolic meaning of the clay?A.No directionsB.Silent handsC.unshaped dreamsD.lacking ambition

Power Questions-Read “Running Rapids”2. Which action described in the story

symbolizes Zachary's growing up?A. He and his father worked feverishly

together to steer the canoe.B. Zachary was startled into action.C. He changed seats with his father and

gripped the paddle confidently.D. Zachary kept alert and soon got the feel

of the canoe.

Power Questions-Read “Running Rapids”2. Which action described in the story

symbolizes Zachary's growing up?A. He and his father worked feverishly

together to steer the canoe.B. Zachary was startled into action.C. He changed seats with his father and

gripped the paddle confidently.D. Zachary kept alert and soon got the feel

of the canoe.

Summarizer 3-2-1

List three conventional symbolsList two private symbolsList one way to identify a symbol

AssignmentWrite a 6-8 line poem that has symbolism in

it. It doesn’t have to rhyme, though it can have

any rhyme scheme.