Tuesday, December 1 - Symbolism and Allegory ( w / satire) in Poetry

Objective: By the end of class, students will analyze characters in poetry to determine symbolism and satire in order to improve interpretive skills. Students will also distinguish 

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Below is the GENERAL answer to 'Why is using figurative language significant in a poem or short fiction/"

An author uses figurative language in order to help the reader create an image or picture in his mind to help make a point or send a message. 

Then you must give an example of figurative language and explain how it helps get the author's point across. In the case of 'A Dream Deferred" - Langston Hughes' point was that if you put a dream on hold, it may dry up, disappear or drag forever in your mind as a "what if?" You would need to specifically cite one of these examples and make the connection to his point.

Direct Instruction


An allegory is a story or poem  in which the characters and events are symbols that stand for ideas about human life or for a political, historical or religious situation.

An allegory makes fun of something without coming right out and saying it. It usually is used to make fun of or criticize a government or religion to avoid a direct attack and possibly get in trouble for it.

Background on Lewis Carroll's religious beliefs -

Charles' father was an active and highly conservative cleric of the Church of England who later became the Archdeacon of Richmond^[9] and involved himself, sometimes influentially, in the intense religious disputes that were dividing the church. He was High Church, inclining to Anglo-Catholicism, an admirer of John Henry Newman and the Tractarian movement, and did his best to instill such views in his children. Young Charles was to develop an ambiguous relationship with his father's values and with the Church of England as a whole.^[10]

The "Walrus and the Carpenter" is a satire on organized religion. It uses silly characters to represent (symbolize) BIG, controversial ideas to send a message.

Explanation of the symbolism behind "The Walrus and the Carpenter" from the movie - "DOGMA"

Guided / Independent

read the Carpenter and the Walrus - by Lewis Carroll

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1. Identify as many examples s you can of figurative language in Walrus and the Carpenter.

2. Use the graphic organizers to analyze the characters in Walrus and the Carpenter. 

Independent

SYMBOLISM in Walrus and the Carpenter

1. Who does the Walrus represent?
2. Who does the Carpenter represent? Considering Carroll's background, why does Lewis Carroll portray the Carpenter as a more understanding, sympathetic character?
4. Who do the oysters represent?
5. Why might the moon be mad that the sun is out at night?
6. What is symbolic about how the Walrus ate the oysters.


Analyze the poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter and explain how it is a satire for organized religion. Be sure to cite examples from the text using the about symbolic information as a guide. 

Closure

Review symbolism

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