Symbolism Lesson: Young Goodman Brown

Symbolism

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Symbolism

• a symbol is when something is used to represent something else

• symbols can be used to represent something other than the object itself, abstract concepts, and multiple layers of meaning

• authors use symbolism to convey deeper meaning about a subject or topic

Multiple Choice

What is a symbol?

• a sign

• something representing something else

• an object

• characters in a story

Multiple Choice

Symbols represent...

• ...abstract concepts.
• ...layers of meaning.
• ...something other than the object itself.
• ...All of the above.

Multiple Choice

Why does an author use symbolism in their literary piece?

• To convey deeper meanings about a topic or subject
• To show the importance of symbols

Practice

Practice identifying symbols and what they might represent in the following questions.

Multiple Choice

The writer describes a person in a jail yard intently watching a bird fly overhead. What might the bird be symbolizing?

• freedom

• knowledge

• the chosen one

• birth

Multiple Choice

After struggling to escape a hard life, a character is described as twirling around on a spring day surrounded by newly budding trees and blooming flowers. What might this passage symbolize?

• sadness that the new season has started

• excitement to hear the birds chirping

• optimism that life is restarting; representing a new birth

• disappointment that summer is so close

Open Ended

What symbolic associations do you make with the woods or forest?

Open Ended

How can names be symbolic?

Open Ended

Whenever the devil is in a story, a song, a movie, or other medium, what is often the purpose?