Retelling a Story Medicine Bag

The Medicine Bag

Symbolism and Theme

To define symbolism and theme and identify each in our story.

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Objectives:

Multiple Choice

Think back to your LAL classes. What is symbolism?

• The moral or lesson of a story.

• Hints in a story about what might happen next.

• Something in the story that comes to represent something else.

• All of the above

Symbolism

When an INANTIMATE object REPRESENTS an ABSTRACT idea.

Multiple Choice

Which ITEM might be SYMBOLIC in our story?

• The suitcase

• The Medicine Bag

• Grandpa's boots

• The feathered hat

Multiple Choice

Read the text. How does Martin feel about the medicine bag according to the words:

Even though the boy,” he said, still looking at me, “doesn’t have an Indian name, the medicine bag will be his.”I didn’t know what to say. I had the same hot and cold feeling that I had when I first saw Grandpa in the street. The medicine bag was the dirty leather pouch I had found around his neck. “I could never wear it,” I almost said aloud. I thought of having my friends see it in gym class or at the swimming pool and could imagine the smart things they would say. But I just swallowed hard and took a step toward the bed. I knew I would have to take it.. 39404142434445The Medicine Bag 9Copyright © SAVVAS Learning Company LLC. All

• Honored by it. Amazed.

• Mortified by it. Horrified.

• Confused by it. Irritated

• Curious about it. Intrigued.

How do Martin's feelings about the bag change?

Read the text:

"That night Mom and Dad took Grandpa to the hospital. Two weeks later I stood alone on the lonely prairie of the reservation and put the sacred sage in my medicine bag." ❧7879

Multiple Choice

What might the bag symbolize?

• Family tradition is important

• Old family heirlooms

• The use of animal hide to make things

• all of the aboove

THEME:

The message, moral or lesson an author is trying to convey.

NEVER EVER one word.

A statement about life in general.

UNIVERSAL! (Almost everyone you meet would agree!)

Let's learn about theme!

Multiple Choice

What might the theme of The Medicine Bag be?

• Family History

• Tradition is important and ties generations together.

• Getting old and sick is very difficult.

• The grandfather passed away and gave his son a family heairloom.