I still have a few students who have a difficult time verbalizing deeper examples of symbolism. This pedagogical conundrum made me start thinking about levels of symbolic representation. If Bloom has levels of thinking, why can’t there be levels of symbolism.
I think pointing out examples of these levels may help some of the students understand how to explain them.
I realize that there is probably 982 (give or take a few) books already on this subject, but here is the list I came up with (the ones in BLUE were suggested by colleagues):
Aesthetic Symbolism- appearance of something contains symbolic qualities
Colors – Red for love
Yellow for decay or money
Green for money or jealousy
Texture- Sharpness of a thorn
Object Symbolism- an object is symbolic
The green light on Daisy’s dock serves as a beacon of hope just as with flame of the statue of Liberty.
Iconic-dealing with an icon
Cross, infinity symbol, a fist raised in the air, peace sign
Linguistic Symbolism- this involves the symbolism that innately occur in certain words. (Thanks, Candy)
NAMES- Dimsdale from The Scarlet Letter
DUPLICITY- “Put out the light, and then put out the light.” (Othello V, ii) (I know this last example is more metaphor than symbol, but they are kissing cousins)
Action/Event Symbolism- an action or event implies a subliminal symbolism
Tom’s violent/domineering personality is symbolized in the way he slams the windows in the first chapter of The Great Gatsby.
Starks will not let Janie let her hair down in public. This is symbolic of his control over her, which is fueled by his jealousy.
Cognitive Symbolism- thoughts that pop into the characters’ heads that represent internal struggle or emotional conflicts. (Thanks, Brigid)
Gatsby realizes that Daisy’s voice is full of money as he moves towards realizing that she picked Tom for reasons other than just a good option.
While looking for pictures to add to this post, I found the PDF of a list of color symbolism.
As always, please add any suggestions for this list in my comments.
I have been giving a lot of thought to my reading list for next year. I know the major works I want to cover during the first semester, but I really want to add some amazing works to my list. I would love any suggestions. Also, I would love to know what YOU plan to teach next year. Please leave any suggestions/lists in the comments below.
Here is my list thus far: (p)= assigned paper
(I plan to teach the selections in this order.)
(I have listed some of the short stories I plan to teach, but I would love your suggestions from the American Lit 1900 to the present cannon.)
Winter Dreams
The Great Gatsby (P)
Of Mice and Men
Two Hurston short stories
Their Eyes were Watching God (P)
Wagner Matinee
Modernist Poetry
RESEARCH PAPER
Pinker’s The Language Instinct
The Things They Carried
A Raisin in the Sun
Sonny’s Blues
Catcher in the Rye
Big Fish
SUGGESTIONS FOR BOTH FICTION AND NONFICTION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
I have already bragged on ZAMZAR for its ability to convert (almost any) files you can throw at it. However, there is a new site in town, Cometdocs.
The important thing is to remember that you DO NOT have to sign up for this service. Just browse for the file you want to convert, tell it what format you want it to be, and click send.
I must say that it looks a lot better than zamzar, and you can avoid all of those pop ups.
A former student emailed me yesterday to tell me about a project he is working on in film school at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
The project is called the Shake the World. I would encourage you to go watch their promotional video at the site and spread the word. Here is some information about it from the website:
How does it work? On April 11th, 2009, at 4PM Pacific Time, record yourself or your surroundings for 1 minute; sixty seconds of your life, any way you want to frame it. But we want you to be creative! Anything you find interesting can be on camera.
In March, we’ll provide you with details on how you can record your video on April 11th. You’ll be provided with submission guidelines, when you should be recording depending on your time zone, and promotions that we’ll offer if you give the world something really interesting to look at.
I am sorry I have been gone so long. Between preparing for the Red Mountain Writing Project and going to Washington D.C. for the NWP Spring meeting, I have been trying my best to make time for writing.
I recently discovered a great blog for young adult literature. It is called YA Lit- The Good, The Bad, The Ugly. The author, Sara, critiques young adult titles and offers opportunities for you to participate in polls.
The current poll is for the Printz Award winners. And I am glad to see a writer from Birmingham, who jogs by my school each morning when he visits his family, is in the lead. That would be John Green for Looking for Alaska.
Anyway…I have added this blog to my blogroll and look forward to using it as a resource as I select next year’s books.
