Why does an author use symbolism in a literary piece?

To convey deeper meanings about a topic or subject

To show the importance of symbols

To make the setting more interesting

To help the reader visualize what's happening

What is a universal symbol?

symbols that communicate meanings that large numbers of people understand

symbols that communicate meanings that only one person understands

symbols that communicate meanings about the universe

symbols that communicate meanings about space

One hot summer day, a weary fox padded down a dusty road, desperate for food and drink. He had traveled for miles without finding so much as a berry to nibble or a puddle of water to sip from. Suddenly, a beautiful aroma filled the air. The fox sniffed and sniffed, his mouth watering in anticipation. Then he looked up. Several feet above him, trailing along a trellis, was a vine full of juicy grapes. The fox jumped up, but he could not reach them. Then he backed up, took a running start, and leaped as high as he could. Still, the grapes remained out of reach. Again and again, he tried, with no success. Finally, exhausted and faint from his efforts, the fox gave up and went on his way. "Oh, well," he sneered, "no big loss. I could tell those grapes were sour anyway." In this passage, the grapes symbolize—

something that a person wants but can't have

a desire to be happy and independent

a decision that is difficult to make

Which of the following is an example of symbolism in literature?

The color black to symbolize evil

Symbolism Quiz

...

Authored by K. Clerkin

English

9th - 12th Grade

CCSS covered

Used 204+ times

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28 questions

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MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

The writer describes a person intently watching a bird fly overhead. What is the bird symbolizing?

freedom

knowledge

the chosen one

birth

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

Harry Potter has a scar on his forehead. This scar symbolizes

a family name

royalty

the chosen one

a fight with a leader

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

The writer describes darkness in the setting with the main character. What is the a problem that the character may be facing?

night

calm

death

freedom

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

A character is wearing a purple sash. Why is his sash purple?

to represent that he is single

to represent that he is married

to represent that he is royalty

to represent that he is male

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

On their wedding day, the groom gave his bride a bouquet of red roses. What do the red roses symbolize?

his love for his bride

her favorite flower

life

power

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

After struggling to escape a hard life, the protagonist is described in the last chapter as twirling around on a spring day surrounded by newly budding trees and blooming flowers. What does this resolution 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

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

Water symbolizes

running

freedom

liquid

life

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

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Symbolism

The writer describes a person intently watching a bird fly overhead. What is the bird symbolizing?

Harry Potter has a scar on his forehead. This scar symbolizes

The writer describes darkness in the setting with the main character. What is the a problem that the character may be facing?

A character is wearing a purple sash. Why is his sash purple?

On their wedding day, the groom gave his bride a bouquet of red roses. What do the red roses symbolize?

After struggling to escape a hard life, the protagonist is described in the last chapter as twirling around on a spring day surrounded by newly budding trees and blooming flowers. What does this resolution symbolize?

Water symbolizes

In a picture of a stack of books with an apple sitting on top of them, what does the apple represent?

The use of an image or an object to stand for something else

Why does an author use symbolism in a literary piece?

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