English/Language Arts
Lesson Plan: Teaching Symbolism
through Their Eyes Were Watching
God 1
Sierra Fisher
Grades: 9-10
Duration: One class period
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:





Define symbolism and explain why authors use it in literature
Describe how symbolism allows humans to communicate beyond the
limits of language
Identify cultural, national, and religious symbols and give their standard
interpretations as well as possible more personal meanings
Apply these exercises on symbolism to the works of Zora Neale Hurston
by identifying symbols in Their Eyes Were Watching God and explaining
their significance to the meaning of the work as a whole
Complete a T-chart of symbols and their meaning in Their Eyes Were
Watching God
STUDENTS/TEACHER WILL NEED:





Copies of Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Clip from the TV reproduction of Their Eyes Were Watching God
directed by Darnell Martin and starring Halle Berry
Symbolism worksheet
T-chart handouts
Whiteboard/Chalkboard for class discussion
BEFORE CLASS:

Students should have completed their reading of Their Eyes Were
Watching God
DURING CLASS:



The Great American Novels
Pass out a worksheet on symbolism
Have the students each write down their definition of a symbol and call
on students to share
Share the dictionary definition with the students for them to write
down
--A symbol is a person, place, or object that stands for something
1
English/Language Arts




beyond itself
Have the students write down examples of national, cultural, and
religious symbols (American flag, the Cross, etc.)
Call on students to write their examples on the board
Of the examples written on the board, have a class discussion about the
literal meaning of each symbol, the interpretation of the symbol, and
possible more personal meaning of the symbol (e.g. the American flag
is a symbol of America, but more than that it represents patriotism and
pride, and can hold special significance and memories to specific
people).
Ask the students to write a paragraph explaining how symbolism allows
humans to communicate beyond the limits of language
WITH THE NOVEL:






Transition into a discussion of the novel by showing a clip from the TV
reproduction of Their Eyes Were Watching God
Pass out T-charts
In the left-hand column of the chart have the students write down a
concrete object that they believe is a symbol in the novel. In the righthand column the students should write down what they believe the
object symbolizes and what it means to the novel as a whole.
Share strategies for identifying possible symbols before they begin:
--Pay attention to objects named in the title
--Pay attention to objects accompanied by a lengthy description
--Pay attention to objects that are often repeated
--Pay attention to objects that appear at crucial moments
Again have students come to the board to write down their symbols
and have a class discussion about the written down symbols literal
meaning, symbolic reading, and how they further the work as a whole
Turn in charts, symbolism worksheet, and paragraph at the end of class
CONTINUATION (HOMEWORK):




The Great American Novels
Have each student pick one of the symbols they discovered in class
Have the students prepare a two page essay, double spaced, 12 point
font, Times New Roman to be turned in next class
The essay should have an introduction, body, and conclusion
The essay will tell which symbol the student chose, when it appears in
the novel and in what context (the literal meaning), and will then
expand on the symbolic meaning they gave in their T-chart. The essay
should conclude by telling what would be different or what you
wouldn’t know about the novel/characters if the symbol wasn’t there
2
English/Language Arts
STUDENTS WILL BE SUCESSFUL IF:





They actively participate in the class discussion, offering up symbols
they know and what they believe is their meaning
They complete and turn in the three class assignments
They give a thorough and logical explanation of how symbols allow
humans to communicate
They correctly identify symbols in Their Eyes Were Watching God
(Janie’s hair, the pear tree, the horizon, the mule, etc.) and give a logical
explanation of their meaning
They complete and turn in the essay with all the required components
and demonstrate that they understand how their chosen symbol
contributes to the novel as a whole
INDIANA TEACHING STANDARDS:
English/Language Arts




Standard 9.3.7: Recognize and understand the significance of various
literary devices, including figurative language, imagery, and symbolism,
and explain their appeal.
Standard 9.3.3: Analyze interactions between characters in a literary
text and explain the way those interactions affect the plot.
Standard 10.3.12: Analyze the way in which a work of literature is
related to the themes and issues of its historical period.
Standard 10.5.2: Write responses to literature that demonstrate a
comprehensive grasp of the significant ideas of literary works, support
statements with evidence from the text, demonstrate awareness of the
author's style and an appreciation of the effects created, and identify
and assess the impact of ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within
the text.
1
this lesson was adapted from a lesson found at http://www.brighthub.com/education/k12/articles/28791.aspx
The Great American Novels
3