Symbolism
Allegory
Allusion
The nature of evil
The role of society
Dystopia
in
Lord of the Flies
By William Golding
Symbolism
• Comprehend the difference between literal and figurative
and apply these concepts to symbolism and allegory
• Explain what a symbol is; comprehend the difference
between universal and personal symbols; create a
personal symbol
Today you will . . .
Literal vs. Figurative
1. literal
• The literal meaning of a story is the actual meaning. It is
the most obvious meaning
2. figurative
• The symbolic, suggested meaning
• something used for or regarded as representing
something else
• a material object representing something, often
something immaterial; emblem, token, or sign.
A symbol in literature is a sign which has further
layers of meaning. In other words, a symbol means
more than it literally says.
Symbolism
What does this
symbolize?
What does this symbolize
What does this
symbolize?
What does this
symbolize?
What does this
symbolize?
What does this
symbolize?
Universal and Cultural
Personal
Interpretation of Symbols
• Universal – most people anywhere in the world
would recognize it.
• Cultural—the people in a particular culture would
recognize it, but those outside the culture may not.
• Personal—developed by an author, artist, etc. to
specifically represent something.
A Symbol Can Be . . .
• Write down another universal symbol and another cultural
symbol. Explain what it means.
• Create your own personal symbol with an explanation.
Homework
•
•
•
•
•
Comprehend what an allegory is
Analyze “Little Red Riding Hood as an allegory
Analyze a quote as an allegory
Comprehend what an allusion is
Create an allusion
Today you will . . .
Allegory
Allegory
a work in which the characters and events . . .
• represent other people or events in history
• represent concepts, such as virtues, war,
communism
• symbolically express a deeper, often spiritual,
moral, or political meaning
• LITERAL
• FIGURATIVE
An allegory can be
understood on two levels:
• Little Red Riding
Hood:
a little girl
• The wolf
a dangerous, wild creature
• The woodsman
a strong, brave working
man
“Little Red Riding Hood”
Level One: Literal
• Little Red Riding Hood:
Innocence
• The wolf:
Evil
• The woodsman:
Society’s sense of
moral justice
“Little Red Riding Hood”
Level 2: Figurative
“It is better to be a living dog than a
dead lion.”
-- Ecclesiastes (9.4)
Ecclesiastes uses the literal significance of "dog"
and "lion," coupled with their cultural
associations, to refer to conditions of human
life.
lion
dog
• Literal meaning: a four• Literal meaning: a fourlegged mammal with sharp
legged mammal with sharp
teeth
teeth
• Cultural association: the lion • Cultural association: the
dog is ordinary, weak,
is noble, strong, courageous
cowardly
• Symbolic meaning:
• Symbolic meaning:
Allegory
• the literal meaning of "lion" and "dog"--two different
species of mammal
• the cultural associations of both animals--the lion is
noble, strong, courageous; the dog is ordinary, weak,
cowardly.
• the application to human character: The cultural
associations are transferred from dogs and lions to human
beings; the application makes a point about life.
Breaking it Down
the application to human character:
The cultural associations are transferred from
dogs and lions to human beings; the application
makes a point about life.
“It is better to be a living dog
than a dead lion.”
It is better to be a coward and stay alive than
be brave and die because of your bravery.
• Edmund Spenser's “The Faerie Queene” -– several knights stand for virtues like friendship, truth
and justice
• Animal Farm by George Orwell—
– the animals stand for real people and the events real
events in the Russian Revolution
– the animals and events represent all people during all
tyrannies
Examples of Other
Allegories
Allusion
• A brief, usually indirect reference to a person, place, or
event--real or fictional.
• According to their content, allusions may be historical,
cultural, mythological, literary, political, or private.
• Allusions add a depth of meaning.
Allusion (NOT “illusion”)
Direct
Indirect
• He’s as strong as
Hercules.
• Hey, Einstein!
• She is as loyal as Lady
Macbeth.
• The title of Robert Frost’s
poem “Out, Out--,” is an
allusion to Macbeth’s
speech about life's
shortness after Lady
Macbeth dies: “Out, out,
brief candle!"
Examples of Allusions
• Create an allusion and then explain it.
Allusion
When during a conversation
you allude to something, you
are making a reference to
that something without
directly stating it.
How are an allegory and symbolism similar?
Respond to
this question . . .
• What is the nature of evil?
• Does a lack or disintegration of
society cause injustice?
Themes
for Lord of the Flies
Utopia
Dystopia
What’s the difference between
a Utopia and a Dystopia?
1.
2.
Answer both of the thematic questions and explain
your responses: A.) What is the nature of evil? B.)
Does a lack or disintegration of society lead to
injustice?
Describe your utopia. What would it look like?
Would there be laws, and if so, what kind? How
would you get your food and clothing and other
goods? Would everyone be treated equally? Would
there be schools?
For Homework . . .