Name:
Date:
This Boy's Life
Notes: Literary Elements
Think about the following words. Can you define them?
Theme
Symbol
Motif
Think about the following elements from This Boy's Life. Decide if each one is a
theme, a symbol, or a motif.
Identity The Beaver Painting Items White The White Piano Escape The Salmon Appearance Lies Jack's Use of "Obscene Words" The Mickey Mouse Club Cigarettes Alcohol Abuse Boy Scouts The Magazine "Boy's Life" The Raleigh Bike -
Symbols - Significant Things
In a good work of literature, everything fits together; for each object the author has made a
conscious choice. Nothing is an accident. Objects that seem to be of minor importance often
turn out to be important to the plot, characterization, and themes of the work.
With your group, figure out the significance of your assigned symbol (the one starred on this
paper). State your opinion of how the objects listed below contribute significantly to the
characterization, themes, and ideas of The Great Gatsby. In framing your answers, refer to the
page numbers listed. Be prepared to present to the class – sharing your answer and reading a
significant selection of text where the object is mentioned.
The Beaver (
)
Lawrence Welk Show (
)
Shucking Horse Chestnuts (
The Raleigh Bike (
White Piano (
Scouting (
)
)
)
The Winchester .22 (
Skipper's Car ( )
The Salmon (
)
)
)
Create Your Own Symbols
We've been thinking about symbols in connection with "This Boy's Life." Now is
your chance to create your own symbols for different events, emotions, and
themes. Get creative!
Example: Anger: A toy monkey clanking cymbals. Why? When we are angry,
we act like animals - especially foolish ones like the monkey. Furthermore, the
abrasive, angry clanking of the cymbals sounds like fury.
1. Pity:
Why:
2.
Sadness:
Why:
3.
Euphoria:
Why:
4.
Loneliness:
Why:
5.
Happiness:
Why:
6.
Love:
Why: