Symbolism

​English 8 Unit 1-3

Stories Based on Stories

​Thematic Archetypes

1-3 Assignments will be due 10/3

Next week we will review Unit 1 for the test due 10/10

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​Objectives

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• Make inferences about a text's symbolism and other deeper meanings, based on details.

• Summarize the theme and other elements of a story.

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​Symbolism 1.3.1 page 1

​A symbol is something that stands for something else. They are often archetypes, so you can recognize what they mean when you see them in a story.

Match

Match the following

Ideas, Invention, Creativity

Freedom, American values, coming to America for the first time

"Slow and steady wins the race."

Beginnings, rebirth, hope, new chances

• Ideas, Invention, Creativity

• Freedom, American values, coming to America for the first time

• "Slow and steady wins the race."

• Beginnings, rebirth, hope, new chances

​Inferences 1.3.1 page 3

​Explicit details are stated, while implicit details are things you can assume by looking at the explicit details.

​An inference cannot be proven like a fact. When you try to understand fiction, there is always a little guesswork. However, that does not mean all inferences are equally true. The best inferences are supported by evidence — often in the form of explicit and implicit details.

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Identifying a symbol takes inference. You need to back your inference with evidence.​

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​Inferences and Evidence 1.3.1 pages 10 & 11

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One year the orchard had its Forbidden Tree. It was an apple-tree discovered by father and a friend during an after-dinner prowl one Sunday afternoon. . . .

Then [father] divided the second [apple] with the same neat beautiful little cut of the pearl knife.

I kept my eyes on Bogey. Together, we took a bite. Our mouths were full of a floury stuff, a hard, faintly bitter skin — a horrible taste of something dry . . .

"Well?" asked father, very jovial. He had cut his two halves into quarters and was taking out the little pods. "Well?"¹

​Which two pieces of evidence in this passage support the inference that "The Apple-Tree" symbolizes the biblical story of Adam and Eve?

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A. A snake presents the fruit to the characters.

B. Both stories have a forbidden tree in them.

C. The main characters are a father and two children.

D. Eating fruit results in a horrible truth.

E. The father is the one who cuts the apple.

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1.3.1 page 11​

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​Theme 1.3.2 page 1

​The theme is the underlying central idea or message that runs through a work of literature.

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When you find symbolism in a story, there's a good chance that it's related to the theme.​

Multiple Choice

Which theme best fits the symbolism in "The Apple Tree"?

• Disobedience will be punished.

• Ignorance is bliss.

• Trust no one,

• Apples can be sour.

Match

Match each symbolic archetype with its most likely meaning.

Ignorance and fear

Friendship and cooperation

Blood and violence

Newness and freshness

• Ignorance and fear

• Friendship and cooperation

• Blood and violence

• Newness and freshness

​Universal Themes 1.3.2 pages 6-8

​Love conquers all -- True love will overcome any

obstacle.

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Good triumphs over evil -- ​Good will always

overcome evil.

​Universal themes are common across cultures and time periods because they explain human experience and are not specific to a particular time or place.

​Summary 1.3.5 page 2

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A summary doesn't state all the events that happen or everything a character says. Instead, it's a short statement that includes the most important points and the central idea or theme of a story or a text, while leaving out unnecessary information.​

​Objective vs. Subjective 1.3.5 page 3

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A summary can be objective or subjective. An objective summary sticks to the facts and doesn't include your personal opinion. A subjective summary does include your personal opinion. If you call the field trip you're summarizing "fantastic," for example, your summary is subjective.​

Multiple Choice

The best football team of modern time is the New England Patriots. They have won multiple Superbowls since 2002.

Objective or Subjective?

• Objective

• Subjective

Multiple Choice

The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers have won the most Superbowls of all time. They have each won 6 Superbowls.

• Objective

• Subjective

Multiple Choice

A study by Duke University in 2006 found that students who did homework had

higher achievement overall.

• Objective

• Subjective

Multiple Choice

Some students may not have access to homework help or a tutor.

• Objective

• Subjective

​1.3.5 pages 4 - 8

​Objective parts of a summary

Characters Setting Plot elements

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Subjective parts of a summary

Character motivation

Themes

Symbolism

Archtypes​

​When you write a summary, you will probably include some inferences. Inferences are subjective, so they need proof or evidence to support them.

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Implicit and explicit details allow us to make inferences. The inferences help us draw conclusions including the theme.​

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Stories often have multiple themes.​

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Universal themes are really universal.​

​Important reminders 1.3.5 pages 8 - 11

​Please respond to ME in the CHAT:




Objective or Subjective?


Anyone who waits in a long line at Starbucks and then takes 10 minutes to decide what he wants is a total JERK.