8th grade ELA
SYMBOLISM
SYMBOL
An action, object, event, etc., that expresses or
represents a particular idea or quality
 A letter, group of letters, character, or picture
that is used instead of a word or group or
words.


Merriam-webster
SYMBOLISM IN STORIES

Symbolism: the use of symbols to represent
ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic
meanings that are different from their literal
sense (meanings).

In other words, a symbol is an object that
stands for something bigger than itself!
**For example, an author
might use the image of the
sun. Readers may infer
deeper meanings from that
image. (It could represent
life, summer, warmth, hope,
happiness).
DEEPER MEANINGS
A river: Rivers may represent the flow of life, a
journey, danger, freedom, etc..
 The depth of water could represent the
unknown.

SYMBOLS IN SURROUNDINGS
A storm might occur during a heightened part
of the story.
 Moving from day to night might represent the
move from good to evil.

CREATE YOUR OWN
Take a few minutes in your notes to write down
some modern day symbols and their meanings.
 Next, write down some symbols and their
meanings from any of the literature we have
read this year.

SYMBOLISM IN THE OUTSIDERS
Sunrise/Sunset
 These symbols will occur later on in the novel.
What do they represent in The Outsiders? What
do they represent in your own life?

YOUR JOB AS A READER
Pay attention to patterns in literature. If you see a
recurring item, color, piece of setting, type of
weather, etc., it probably holds a deeper meaning
and therefore is symbolic.
 Mark those possible symbols in your text, and see
if you can figure out what they might mean.
 Symbols may also mean different things to
different readers. What you “get” out of a symbol
may be different than what a classmate “gets” out
of a symbol, and that’s okay!
