Objective: Students will be able to define, recognize and explain symbolism, allegory and figurative language.

Symbolism and Allegory

In writing, explain what the following symbols mean:

APK (Activating Prior Knowledge)

A symbol is often an event, object, person or animal to which an extraordinary meaning or significance has been attached.

Concept Development: Symbols

Answer this question on your paper: What ideas do these pictures symbolize?

Symbols can be inherited or invented. Ex. The Statue of Liberty came to symbolize

freedom for people immigrating to the United States by way of Ellis Island.

Concept Development: Where do Symbols come from?

Symbols allow writers to: suggest layers of meanings and

possibilities that a simple literal statement could not convey as well

convey a complex idea without having to explain each detail

A symbol is like a pebble cast into a pond: It sends out ever widening ripples.

Importance: Why Create Symbols in literature?

Allegory: a story in which characters, settings and actions stand for something beyond themselves.

Types of Allegories:characters and setting represent abstract

ideas of moral qualitiescharacters and situations stand for

historical figures and events

Concept Development:Allegory

An Allegory can be read on two levels:1. Literal or straightforward meaning2. Symbolic meaning

Allegories are often intended to teach a moral lesson or make a comment about good and evil.

Different Levels of Meaning in Allegories

Type of ALLEGORYUsually has animalsUsed to teach moral lessons to childrenAnimals/characters represent

Virtues=good human qualitiesVices=bad human qualities

Concept Development:Fable

Represents Perseverance

Represents arrogance

Type of ALLEGORY Set in the real worldTeaches a lesson about ethics or morality

Concept Development:Parable

Remember the Good Samaritan??

-Many stories in the Bible are parables

Some famous parables and allegorical stories/movies/television programs are:

Animal Farm “The Emperor’s New Clothes” The Wizard of Oz “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”Avatar The MatrixOf Mice and Men

Concept Development:Allegory/Parables

An Old English play called Everyman

Main character: Everyman (his name represents what he stands for)One day Everyman is

summoned by Death to give an accounting of his life. So, Everyman asks his friends Fellowship, Beauty, Strength and Good Deeds to accompany him to visit Death and tell him that he has led a good life. The only friend that goes is Good Deeds and he stays with Everyman until the end.

Answer this question on your paper: What is the meaning of this story?

Allegory continued…

Symbolism vs. Allegory Symbol: can be an event, place, character or object that has significance or importance.

Allegory: connects many symbols within the story to one another; producing a deeper meaning.

Symbols can be _______, _________, __________, or _________.

Symbols represent _______________________.Symbols allow writers to

_______________________.Give an example of a

symbol____________________.An allegory is ______ in which _______________.and _______ stand for something beyond themselves.Name two types of Allegories.

Closure:Symbolism and Allegory Review

Think of a movie or book that utilizes a symbol (you cannot use an example from this powerpoint!)1. Name the movie/book2. Identify the symbol3. Identify the literal meaning of the symbol4. Identify the figurative (symbolic) meaning of

the symbol5. Explain why the symbol was used

Independent Practice