On the top of your guided notes, write down the first thing that
comes to mind when you look at each image.
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Mr. Weinstein
Symbolism in Poetry
Objectives:
1. Students will be able to give examples of
symbols and explain their meaning.
2. Students will be able to identify symbolism in
a poem and explain its appeal.
Symbolism
itself
When an object stands for ________
and a
greater idea, value, person, or way of life
________________________________.
How To Find Symbolism in a Poem
1. Identify an ___________
that could be a symbol.
object
 A symbol will usually be…
A. An object that is described in great detail or given
importance.
B. An object that appears many times in a work
2. Think about how the author ________________
uses the object
in the poem.
represents to the
3. Decide what the object ____________
author based on how it is used.
This is what the object symbolizes.
Would you rather your lover gave you a
I would prefer to have a (limousine/perfect rose)
from someone I love because…
“One Perfect Rose” by Dorothy Parker, 1926
A single flow'r he sent me, since we met.
All tenderly his messenger he chose;
Deep-hearted, pure, with scented dew still wet —
One perfect rose.
I knew the language of the floweret;
“My fragile leaves,” it said, “his heart enclose.”
Love long has taken for his amulet
One perfect rose.
Why is it no one ever sent me yet
One perfect limousine, do you suppose?
Ah no, it's always just my luck to get
One perfect rose.
1. What is the main symbol in the poem?
2. What does the rose symbolize?
3. What does the limousine symbolize?
4. What message is Dorothy Parker trying to convey (share)
in this poem?
The Rose That Grew from Concrete
By Tupac Shakur
Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature’s law is wrong it
learned to walk without having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.
1. What does the rose symbolize?
2. What is nature’s law? Why is it important that the rose
proved it wrong?
3. What does the concrete symbolize?
4. What message is Tupac trying to convey (share) in this
poem?
Closing
Why do Tupac and Dorothy Parker use symbolism?
Why don’t they just tell us what they literally mean?
Objective Check-off
1. Students will be able to give examples of symbols
and explain their meaning.
2. Students will be able to identify symbolism in a
poem and explain its appeal.
A Symbol in the Making…