Imagery, Symbolism, and Theme - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Imagery, Symbolism, and Theme

And all that fluff.Slide2

Imagery

So what is imagery?

Imagery is the picture the author creates in your mind. It’s why our favorite books are so interesting! We can see it happening! Slide3

The Five Senses

When an author uses imagery, he or she usually will appeal to the five senses. These are called

sensory details.

If you can see, taste, smell, touch, or hear something you’ve just experienced imagery.

Example: “He felt like the flowers were waving him a hello.” What picture do you see here?Slide4

Sensory Details

Sight: Although

they could not see outside the cabin, they could hear the eerie tapping, tapping, tapping, of his knife upon their door

.

Sound: Tyler's

socks, still soaked with sweat from Tuesday's P.E. class, filled the classroom with an aroma akin to that of salty, week-old, rotting fish.

Taste: The

familiar comforting warmth of the chicken noodle soup instantly made Mike feel much better.

Touch: The

icy breeze gently brushed against the hair on her neck, and goose-bumps shortly followed. Slide5

What Does Imagery Do?

Imagery helps set the stage so that the reader can imagine the events of the story against their backdrop

. It’s a main part of understanding the SETTING. Where have you seen this in LOTF?

Imagery

also contributes to the

MOOD of

a story because of the emotional response it evokes in readers.

How do you feel when reading LOTF?Slide6

One Last Bit on Imagery

Imagery can help us to better understand the THEME, SETTING, MOOD, and overall purpose of the novel.

By paying attention to the images the author is trying to create, we can also catch on to his or her opinion on the subject. Slide7

Symbolism

Symbolism refers to when a word, place, character, or object means something beyond what it is on a literal

level

What are some examples of symbols that you already know?Slide8
Slide9

Symbols

It can be harder to find symbols when reading a book.

For Lord of the Flies I’ve given you some of the symbols, you just need to tell me what they mean. How you ask?

Most often in stories, symbols come in the form of important

objects

or

characters

. (HINT HINT)

.Slide10

Symbols in Literature

Symbols appear frequently in

literature. For example…

A character could represent hope.

A ring could represent love.

Springtime could represent rebirth.

A house could represent loss.

If you see an object pop up often or if a character is rarely seen without it, it’s probably a symbol.Slide11

Is This Really Necessary?

In a word? YES! Symbolism

allows authors to:

add double levels of meaning to stories (one that is literal and obvious as well as a profound, symbolic one).

capture the reader's interest by making him/her think deeply.

contribute to the story's universality and theme.

make their stories rich and memorable.Slide12

What Do You Mean, Rollins?

OK, OK. Let’s look at a few more popular examples:Slide13

The Hunger Games

Mockingjay

:

Symbol of the strength of the lower classSlide14

Harry Potter

Harry’s Scar: Represents everything that sets Harry apart from the time he is a baby. His scar also throbs around evil, showing his sensitivity towards the Dark Arts and connection to He Who Must Not Be Named. Slide15

Thor’s Hammer

Represents his character and worthiness. Remember how in the first movie he couldn’t pick it up when he was a punk? Or in Avengers 2 where no one could. Slide16

I KNOW.Slide17

Symbolism in LOTF

When you’re filling out the worksheet, focus on WHEN the conch is used. What is happening when Piggy uses his glasses? When the pig dies, what is happening to the boys?

If you look at the setting and action, you’ll understand the characters, symbols, plot, and theme.Slide18

Last Word on Symbolism:

Oh and FYI: Most of the main characters are symbols of a branch of society. That one’s for free.Slide19

Theme

Here are a few things on theme. We’ll delve more into it later, but definitely be thinking about it as you read LOTF. Slide20

What is It?

The literary term theme refers to:

the idea on which a story is built.

the central idea, or insight, that a story reveals about life or human behavior

.

Pick a topic that you see popping up in Lord of the Flies. How do you think Golding FEELS about that topic? There is your theme. Slide21

What Is It Not?

Good vs. Evil

Try instead: Does Golding think man is good or evil?

Power

Try instead: What does power do to us?

Society

Try instead: How would you say that Golding sees society’s structure?Slide22

What Else is Theme Not?

A moral: Don’t tell me what to do!

A plot: I get it. Boys get stranded on an island. YAWN. WHAT DOES IT MEAN??

A subject: Once again, good vs. evil, society, love. Those are subjects,

not themes.

A theme statement should never, EVER contain the word “you.” (Ex: “You are in charge of your own destiny.” Try instead: “Man is in charge of his own destiny.” Make it apply to every one!)Slide23

Whaaaaa?

Subject/Topic:

Dishonesty

Moral: You should not lie to your loved ones.Theme: Being dishonest with

loved ones can

cause

pain

and heartache

.

See the difference?Slide24

Clues to Help You

Writers often express theme through what their characters learn.

Does the main character change? Does he or she learn something

? (AHEM)

Conflict helps reveal theme

. (AHEM!).

How is the conflict resolved? What does the resolution tell us about life

? (AHEM!!)

Sometimes the story's title gives clues to its theme

. (AHEM!!!)Slide25

Last Words on Theme

The theme applies to the

ENTIRE work

, not just parts of it. This means that you may not know the theme until you finish the novel (which also requires you to read it…)

Keep in

mind…

There

is not one single correct way to state the theme of a work!

People may express the same theme in different words.

People may have different opinions about what the theme of a story is.

The best works of literature usually have more than one theme.