"A book, too, can be a star, 'explosive material, capable of stirring up fresh life endlessly,' a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding universe." - from Madeleine L'Engle's Newberry Medal Acceptance Speech

Monday, October 6, 2014

Reading Focus: Symbolism

What does the color blue represent and mean to you? Write for 3minutes in your notebook. You may list, web, draw, write poetry or prose, etc. Include specific examples and reasons.


symbol is an object, place, aspect of nature, living thing, color, or number that represents a deeper meaning beyond the literal

How to identify symbols:
Examples of symbols and what they mean:
a.     Repeated or recurring object, image, color, word or phrase, or aspect of nature (mentioned more than once and/or is elaborated on in great detail; often connects to or relates to other part of the text)

Red often symbolizes passion and mortality.
b.     Archetypes:
                    i.     Character (see previous notes)

                  ii.     Setting: 



                 iii.     Symbol:




A grassy meadow may symbolize tranquility, while a
subway platform may symbolize stress.


Light often represents hope, purity, and good, while   darkness represents evil and death.


c.     Names of people and places




d.     Title


   
 e.   Strong, inspiring, and/or 
philosophical language, similes, 
metaphors, and images


Source/further reading:

Task:


  • List symbols in “Am I Blue?”
  • In groups, choose 1 or related symbols and create a synthesis page; include: symbol, examples/evidence, what it means, and connections
  • In your independent reading book, write notes on symbolism. By tomorrow, have at least 5-10 notes. 

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