1937 - Intro to Symbolism

1937 - Intro to Symbolism

by Joshua Brown

Poll

What communicates more information about the world: pictures or words?

• Pictures

• Words

• They work together

Open Ended

Are there feelings or ideas that are impossible to put into words?

​Why do I ask?

​Today, we will start our last short story of Unit 1.

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​1937 by Edwidge Danticat from her book, Krik? Krak!

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​Danticat uses strong imagery to create symbolism throughout the story to commuicate her complex perspective about life in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

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​Today, we will discuss what symbolism is and how it is used.

​Meet the Author - Edwidge Danticat

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Haitian-American Author

Writer of various novels and short-stories

Dealing with her history and the history of her family.​

1937 - Historical Background

​http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x25k_-Katf4​

Poll

What is a symbol?

• a sign

• something representing something else

• an object

• characters in a story

Multiple Choice

What is symbolism?

• When the author uses an object or reference to add deeper meaning to a story

• A reference to another literary work

• The tone of the story

• The events of the story

​Symbolism

SYMBOLISM: An image or object meant to represent a character, theme, or plot item.​

Multiple Choice

Symbols represent...

• ...abstract concepts.

• ...layers of meaning.

• ...something other than the object itself.

• ...All of the above.

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• ​Symbols can communicate meaning in ways that transcend literal description or language.

• ​Symbolism is a form of figurative language and meaning-making.

• ​Sometimes, an image or description in a text represents an idea.

​Why do authors use symbolism?

​To SHOW instead of TELLING--

Symbols make reading more interesting.  Just like a music video will SHOW YOU expensive things, instead of a musician just TELLING YOU that they are rich.

2.  To make a point more subtly

Stories that just tell you everything are boring

​How can we identify symbols?

​1. DOES IT STAND OUT?  

Does something show up again and again?  Is something vividly described?  GOOD AUTHORS PUT THINGS IN STORIES FOR A REASON.

2.  COULD IT CONNECT 

to a characterization, theme, or plot item that exists in the story?

Multiple Choice

What does a heart typically symbolize?

• fear

• time

• love

• hunder

Multiple Choice

What might a "storm" symbolize?

• A difficult time

• Thunder and lightning

• A party

• Cold weather

Multiple Choice

Which of the following symbols may represent a broken relationship?

• A Siberian Tiger

• Shattered glass

• Fire

• Stars

Multiple Choice

Ana had spent an unhappy night of tossing and turning. Yesterday, the wrong move had caused her to lose the volleyball match. As she sat up in bed the next morning, she could see the sun just peeking over the bushes in her back yard. As the sun rose higher and shined more brightly, Ana felt her spirits lifting. Feeling her confidence return, Ana thought to herself, I know I can work harder, and I'll make the team forget yesterday ever happened.

In this passage, the rising sun symbolizes—

• Ana's house

• volleyball

• a second chance

• a sleepless night

Multiple Choice

Why are symbols important in literature?

• They are important because they are funny.

• They are important to the story because they help you understand something about the character, the theme, or the story in general.

• They are important because characters need symbols to survive.

• They are important because they are symbols.

​Next Steps for Today

• ​Watch the video posted to the discussion board.

• ​Create one original response, answering all 4 questions, analyzing the symbolism in the video you saw

• ​Comment on at least one classmate's response

• ​Reflect on how you can use the same process to analyze symbols in the story, 1937

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Read the text, 1937, posted in Blackboard. Jot down any images or objects that you think have symbolic meaning. Be ready to discuss these tomorrow