Boot Camp
A.P. Literature
Part 4: Symbolism, Irony,
and Satire
Symbolism
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Definition: Literary devices
developed from the connections
that real-life people make
between their own existence and
particular objects, places, or
occurrences through either
experience or reading. (Roberts &
Jacobs 393)
Symbols = specific details (creates
a meaningful connection between
an object, scene, character, or
action and ideas, values, persons,
or ways of life)
Allegories = stories or parts of
stories that have a second
meaning beneath the surface that
gives added significance
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Biblical
Greek
Heroic cycle
Purpose and Types
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Purpose = compression that expands
meaning
Types of Symbols
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Cultural = universally recognized (water in
Foster)
Contextual = only applies in individual works
(the white whale in Moby Dick)
How do I know it’s a symbol?
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How much importance does the
author give it?
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emphasis
repetition
position
Meaning must be established
and supported by the entire
context of the story. Symbol has
its meaning in the story, not
outside it.
Item must suggest a meaning
different in kind from its literal
meaning.
It may have multiple meanings.
Example: Kite, tree, etc. in Kite
Runner
Mr. Sato’s Symbolism Video
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69A
6xyXGC-M
Symbol Prompt
Choose one symbol from your selected story,
discuss its meaning, and how understanding
this symbol impacts your understanding of the
work as a whole.
You might want to focus on how it
impacts
characterization, setting, or
theme.
You may choose to write about “Araby,” OR
“A Rose for Miss Emily,” OR “Miss Brill” OR
Where are you going, Where have you
been?”
Irony & Satire
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Irony
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Definition: A contradiction
or incongruity between
appearance or
expectation and reality.
Purposes of Irony (Effects)
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To convey a truth about
human experience
Allows the author to
achieve compression.
(Suggest complex
meanings without stating
them.)
Achieves its effects through
misdirection.
Methods of Irony
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Verbal Irony = a figure of
speech in which the speaker
says the opposite of what he
or she intends to say.
(Simplest form)
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Sarcasm = designed to hurt,
ridicule
Dramatic Irony = the contrast
is between what a character
says or thinks and what the
reader knows to be true.
(Conveys truth about the
character or character’s
expectations.)
Situational = the discrepancy
is between appearance and
reality, or between
expectation and fulfillment, or
between what is and what
would seem appropriate.
Where have we seen Irony?
 “Where
are You Going, Where Have you Been?”
 “A Rose for Miss Emily”
 Other common novels or stories?
Satire
Definition: A literary
genre that uses irony,
wit, and sometimes
sarcasm to expose
humanity’s vices and
foibles, giving impetus
to change or reform
through ridicule.
Don’t the miss effects
Jonathon Swift
Oscar Wilde
Swift and Wilde were two famous
satirists who took aim at British
society. Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”
pointed out the heartlessness
England’s social policies in Ireland,
while Wilde wrote about the
emptiness of high society in works
such as “The Importance of Being
Mr. Sato on Satire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuvjDK3mpA0
Where have we seen satire?
 “Where
are You Going, Where Have you Been?”
 “A Rose for Miss Emily”
 Other common novels?
Where have we seen satire?
 TV?
 Movies?
Effect of Irony Analysis
 On
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your own sheet of paper:
Make a t-graph (minimum of 5 entries)
Left side: Ironic Quotes
Right side: Explanation—how ironic?
Your choice—either story (and/or both!)
 Write
story.
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a thesis on the effect of irony in the
Use the symbolism analysis structure.