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!
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