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Allegory & Symbolism

Total questions: 16

Worksheet time: 26mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which best defines "theme?"

a)

A recurring idea or element in a story

b)

The song and title clip that opens a TV show

c)

A story that conveys a meaning deeper than the one on its surface

d)

A message or moral the author wants the audience to learn

2.

What is a symbol?

a)

The evil monkey statue from Phantom of the Opera

b)

A recurring idea or element in a story

c)

An object or character that represents something larger than itself

d)

A story that conveys a meaning deeper than the one on its surface

3.

Which of these best defines an "allegory?"

a)

Any of the Godzilla movies

b)

A story that conveys a meaning deeper than the one on its surface

c)

A message or moral the author wants the audience to learn

d)

A literary device where a non-human has inherently human characteristics

4.

We wear the mask that grins and lies,

It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,

This debt we pay to human guile;

With torn and bleeding hearts we smile

What does the mask symbolize?

a)

A disguise

b)

Hidden emotion

c)

Grins and lies

d)

A covering for all or part of the face,

5.

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow

What does the broken winged bird symbolize?

a)

Goals that you have met

b)

Nightmare

c)

Unfulfilled dreams

d)

Life

6.

When analyzing any story which of the following most helps you identify an allegory in the story?

a)

The time period the story is written in.

b)

The characteristics of the main characters.

c)

The message in the story.

d)

The ending of the story.

7.

What does it mean to read "literally"?

a)

Take the words of the story to mean exactly and only what they say

b)

Use your eyes to read

c)

Take the words of a story as a hidden message for something else

d)

Read from a book

8.

What does it mean to read "allegorically"?

a)

To read an allegory

b)

To take the words of the story to mean exactly and only what they say

c)

To take the words of a story as a hidden message for something else

d)

To read quickly

9.

Compare and Contrast Allegory vs. Symbolism: Which of the following is the correct contrast AND comparison?

a)

Contrast: Allegory can be a word, place, character, or object that means something beyond what is on a literal level. A symbol involves many interconnected allegorical figures in such a way that nearly every element of the narrative has meaning beyond the literal. Comparison: Both allegory and symbols show the meaning of a story.

b)

Comparison: Both allegory and symbols show the meaning of a story.

c)

Comparison: Both symbols and allegories can reveal ideas or meaning beyond the literal level. Contrast: a symbol can be a word, place, character, or object meaning something beyond its literal meaning. An allegory is a story in which everything is a symbol that relates to other symbols within the story to teach a moral lesson.

d)

Contrast: a symbol can be a word, place, character, or object meaning something beyond its literal meaning. An allegory is a story in which everything is a symbol that relates to other symbols within the story to teach a moral lesson.

10.

Why does Orpheus venture into the Underworld?

a)

To face Hades

b)

To retrieve Eurydice

c)

Because he has died

d)

To be punished

11.

Who is Hades?

a)

The god of the underworld

b)

The god of the sun

c)

The god of music

d)

The god of the sea

12.

What condition does Hades establish in order for Eurydice to leave the underworld?

a)

Orpheus must stay behind

b)

Orpheus must leave his lyre in her place

c)

Orpheus must not look back at Eurydice

d)

Orpheus must promise to honor Hades

13.

Which event is the climax of the myth of Orpheus?

a)

When Orpheus goes into the underworld

b)

When the snake bites Eurydice

c)

When Orpheus is killed

d)

When Orpheus looks back and loses Eurydice

14.

What kind of conflict is shown in the following line? "(Orpheus) so far soothed the savage heart of Hades that he won leave to restore Eurydice to the upper world."

a)

character vs. self

b)

character vs. nature

c)

character vs. character

d)

character vs. society

15.

Which of the following is an example of character vs. nature conflict?

a)

"She trod on a serpent as she fled, and died of its bite"

b)

"he not only enchanted wild beasts, but made the trees and rocks move"

c)

"his head they threw in the river Hebrus"

d)

"Dionysus set the Maenads upon him"

16.

What is the myth of Orpheus & Eurydice an allegory for? Answer in PEA format.

4 lines