SYMBOLISM

Symbols are animals, elements, things, places, or colors, writers use to represent other things.

ANIMALS

Fox = slyness, cleverness

Lamb = gentleness; purity; sacrifice; innocence

Snake = poison; evil; lowness; unworthiness; betrayal

Lion = nobleness; ferocity; royalty

Dove = peace; purity

Owl = wisdom

Eagle = power; vision; protection; freedom

COLORS

RED—passion/love; revolution; violence; war; blood, courage

WHITE—purity; power; conquest; good; sickliness

BLACK—evil

YELLOW—light; brightness; comprehension

BLUE—beauty; serenity

GOLD—wealth; power

PURPLE—royalty

GREEN—hope; growth; new life; envy

NUMBERS

1 = unity

7 = sacred; lucky

12 = sacred

13 = unlucky

SEASONS

SPRING—birth; new life; new beginnings

SUMMER—prime of life

AUTUMN/FALL—last few years of life

WINTER—end of life

NATURE

WATER—life; cleansing

RAIN—sadness; sorrow

THUNDERSTORM—impending danger; violence

SUN—happiness

SUNSET—waning life

ROSE—love; kindness

MIDNIGHT—evil hour; mystery

DARKNESS—mystery; gloom; confusion

OTHERBLOOD—life; sacrifice

CLOCK CHIMING—warning

SCAFFOLD—justice

BALANCING SCALES—justice

MONEY—labor; evil

BREAD—material things; life

FLAG—patriotism

ROCKING CHAIR—lifelessness; apathy

In the movies . . .

In westerns, who rides the white horse? the black horse?

What does it mean when you hear a clock strike midnight?

What does it mean when the weather is cold and wet?

What other symbols can you think of in the movies?

In the Books

What symbols can you think of in books you’ve

read?

TAKS QUESTION TIPS

MAKE SURE you can support your answer with accurate information from the correct passage

WATCH OUT! for plausible statements that aren’t the correct meaning of the symbol as used in the passage

meanings that are the opposite of the symbol

SAMPLE TAKS QUESTION

10. In paragraph 24, the ray of sunlight symbolizes (represents)—F. the challenges faced by the Vietnamese people

Plausible, but not the meaning of symbol in the passage

G. the renewed relationship between Father and Grandfather

Correct answer

H. the determination of the Vietnamese people

Plausible, but not the meaning of symbol in the passage

J. the difference of opinion between Father and Grandfather

opposite meaning of symbol in paragraph n the passage

TAKS STEM QUESTIONS

In paragraph ____, the _________________ symbolizes __________________.

In both selections, _______________ represents ________________________.