Symbolism Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RL.5.4

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

When an author is looking to drive deeper meaning into their work, they will often use symbolism to drive an emotional or underlying message to their readers. This is when the author uses an object or sometimes a word in place of an abstract idea. Symbolism helps you hint rather than out right saying something. This adds a more enriching experience for the reader. This technique can help the audience grow a thicker emotional connection to a piece of work. The most common literary elements that are used to create this are allegories and metaphors. They lend themselves directly to this technique. Some major classical works including Lord of the Files and The Great Gatsby have used symbolism to connect with readers. This series of worksheets will have students identify symbolism and use it in their own work.

Symbolism Worksheets To Print:

What Do You Stand For? - We give you a visual symbol that you must explain. Study the two examples. Then fill in the remainder of the chart.

Common Symbolism in Literature - A little Shakespeare goes a long way. See if you can understand what he meant with different forms of symbols.

Symbols in Everyday Life - These are the symbols we all see, almost everyday. What do they mean after all?

What Does It Mean? - It is weird how animals have so many different meanings. Consider each of the objects and decide what they represent.

Live in Literature - Do you know the color of royalty or anger?

Raven Symbols - Edgar Allan Poe is famous for using symbolism in his stories and poetry.

Lord of the Flies - Explain the symbolism of each of the following items from Lord of the Flies.

Symbolism in The Giver - Discuss the meaning of each of the following symbols in Lois Lowry's The Giver.

Colors as Symbols - To get you started thinking about symbolism, answer the following questions for each color.

Symbols Worksheet - How do you know when something is used as a symbol in a text?

What It Signifies - In the right-hand column, write down what you think each object symbolizes or suggests.

Think Like a Writer - Sometimes a writer uses symbols to express abstract ideas in a story.

Literary Symbols - Read the passages below. Can you identify the symbols? What do they mean?

Symbolism in Poetry - Discuss the symbolic meaning of the colors (green and gold) in the poem.

The Tyger - Read the poem. Think about the idea of the tiger and the lamb in the poem. Are they symbols?

What is Symbolism?


Symbolism is the use of a single word or an object to represent the whole idea. In literature, symbolism is used in stories, fiction, poetry, and other written content. Symbolism is a part of speech in which the actual meaning of something is different than the meaning intended. Other two important parts of speech simile and metaphor also fall in the category of symbolism. Symbolism is used to develop beauty, avoid repetition and to simplify the sentences. Usually, some colors, flowers, weather are also used to symbolize an idea. Given below are some tips that will help one a lot to achieve symbolism in writing:


Using Colors for Symbolism


Colors, when used in art, represent different emotions and attitudes. Similarly while writing, writers can use colors to represent different ideas. For example, the color red is used to represent anger or aggressiveness, blue represents peace, green represents nature, pink symbolizes love, yellow symbolizes joy, purple represents spirituality, lavender symbolizes feminist, etc.


Using Flowers for Symbolism


Flowers not only beautify nature but also are used to increase the beauty of written content. Roses represent romance, violets represent shyness, lily symbolizes beauty, orchid for love, sunflower for opportunities, anemone for anticipation, etc.


Using Animals for Symbolism


A writer can also use the name of an animal to represent or symbolize an idea. Some common animals used for symbolism are a horse for power, snake for selfishness, dove for peace, dog for loyalty and faith, bear for danger, a lion for bravery and courage, an owl for wisdom or intuition, tiger for power, butterfly for transformation, etc.


Using Weather for Symbolism


Weathers also can represent differences ideas or fillings. For example, autumn stands for sadness, spring for happiness and colors, snow for purity, fog for something bad to happen, wind for power, thunderstorm for hostility, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Common Symbolism in Literature Preview