On the top of your guided notes, write down the first thing that comes to mind when you look at each image.

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Mr. Weinstein

Symbolism in Poetry

Objectives:

1. Students will be able to give examples of symbols and explain their meaning.

2. Students will be able to identify symbolism in a poem and explain its appeal.

SymbolismWhen an object stands for ________ and a ________________________________.

itself

greater idea, value, person, or way of life

How To Find Symbolism in a Poem

1. Identify an ___________ that could be a symbol. A symbol will usually be…

A. An object that is described in great detail or given importance.

B. An object that appears many times in a work

2. Think about how the author ________________

in the poem.

3. Decide what the object ____________ to the

author based on how it is used.

This is what the object symbolizes.

object

uses the object

represents

Would you rather your lover gave you a

OR

I would prefer to have a (limousine/perfect rose) from someone I love because…

Pair- Share!

“One Perfect Rose” by Dorothy Parker, 1926

A single flow'r he sent me, since we met.

All tenderly his messenger he chose;

Deep-hearted, pure, with scented dew still wet —

One perfect rose.

I knew the language of the floweret;

“My fragile leaves,” it said, “his heart enclose.”

Love long has taken for his amulet

One perfect rose.

Why is it no one ever sent me yet

One perfect limousine, do you suppose?

Ah no, it's always just my luck to get

One perfect rose.1. What is the main symbol in the poem? 2. What does the rose symbolize?

4. What message is Dorothy Parker trying to convey (share) in this poem?

3. What does the limousine symbolize? Think-Pair- Share!

Round Robin!

The Rose That Grew from Concrete

By Tupac Shakur

Did you hear about the rose that grewfrom a crack in the concrete? Proving nature’s law is wrong it learned to walk without having feet. Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams, it learned to breathe fresh air. Long live the rose that grew from concretewhen no one else ever cared.

Think-Pair- Share!

1. What does the rose symbolize? 2. What is nature’s law? Why is it important that the rose proved it wrong?3. What does the concrete symbolize?

4. What message is Tupac trying to convey (share) in this poem? Round Robin!

Closing

Why do Tupac and Dorothy Parker use symbolism?

Why don’t they just tell us what they literally mean?

Objective Check-off

1. Students will be able to give examples of symbols and explain their meaning.

2. Students will be able to identify symbolism in a poem and explain its appeal.

A Symbol in the Making…