Journal prompt:

1. Journal prompt: Choose a well known religious, national, or cultural symbol. Write a paragraph analyzing its meaning. Include the standard meaning along with a personal interpretation. When you and your partner have both completed the prompt above, include a personal interpretation from your partner. What does YOUR symbol mean to him or her?

2. Symbolism, Allegory and Imagery English II Mrs. McLeod

3. Symbolism, Allegory, Imagery… Why Learn Them? • Understand and appreciate the broader meaning of a literary work • Is The Old Man and the Sea really just a story about a fishing trip gone bad? • Enhance your writing, allowing you to convey more nuanced meaning with every sentence

4. Symbolism • Symbolism: a writer’s use of symbols in which a place, thing or event stands for a larger idea • A dog can be a symbol of… • A rose can be a symbol of… • A dove can be a symbol of… • May be subtle and open to interpretation • Can help reader understand and appreciate broader meaning of a work

5. Exercise: Symbolism In the class work section of your notebook, create two columns: SYMBOLS and POSSIBLE MEANINGS In the fist column, list five concrete objects In the second column, explain what each object might symbolize You may work with a partner

6. Allegory • Allegory: story in which all characters, settings, events and actions are symbolic • Teaches a lesson • Example: “Tortoise and the Hare”

7. Imagery The use of figurative or descriptive language to create a vivid mental picture Involves at least one of the five senses--sight, sound, touch, feel, taste Helps to establish the mood of the piece

8. Imagery: Examples The following images might be used to describe a stroll on a summer night: Sight - a full moon in a black sky
Sound - the chirp of cricketsTaste- the tang of a cold glass of lemonade
Touch - a warm breeze
Smell - freshly mowed grass

9. Exercise: Imagery • Make a five column chart in your notebook • Label each column with one sense: • Sight Sound Touch Taste Smell • Now imagine a perfect Saturday morning • Fill in chart, describing the sights, sounds, etc. of your perfect Saturday morning • Monday morning? • How do your descriptions impact the mood?

10. Bellwork: Vocabulary Practice Rip out and complete page 103 in your workbook Whatever is not finished in class will be homework, due tomorrow (10 points)

11. “The Masque of Red Death” (p. 372) • Author: Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1849) • Known for tales of horror • Pioneered detective stories and science fiction

12. Background:The Black Death • One of the most devastating pandemics in human history, peaking in Europe between 1348-1350 • Killed 25 million people, 30-60% of Europe’s population • Spread by infected rats and flea bites • Most died a horrific death within 3-5 days

13. Background: The Black Plague “They died by the hundreds, both day and night, and all were thrown in ... ditches and covered with earth. And as soon as those ditches were filled, more were dug. And I, Agnolo di Tura ... buried my five children with my own hands ... And so many died that all believed it was the end of the world.” —The Plague in Siena: An Italian Chronicle[66

14. Imagery Example: • From “The Masque of Red Death” • "There were sharp pains, and sudden dizziness, and then profuse bleeding at the pores, with dissolution. The scarlet stains upon the body and especially upon the face of the victim, were the pest ban which shut him out from the sympathy of his fellow men."

15. “Masque of Red Death” Vocabulary Profuse August Impede Cessation Decorum Tangible Homework: Workbook, page 103

16. Questions to consider • How does Prince Prospero deal with the problem of the Plague? • What drawbacks might there be to attempting to hide from a conflict rather than facing it? • What do the colors of the rooms symbolize? • What does the black and red room symbolize? • What does the clock symbolize? Why are the guests made uncomfortable by it? • How does the setting overall impact the mood of the story? • What comment does the story make about the rich? • What or whom is personified by the last visitor? • What are the possible themes of this story?

17. “Masque of Red Death” Journal Prompt Imagine you are a guest at Prince Prospero’s bizarre masquerade ball. Using at least 3 examples of imagery, write 1-2 paragraphs describing your experience walking into the party. What do you see, hear, smell, taste, and/or touch? Use details you read in the story as well as your own imagination.

18. “Masque of Red Death”Journal Prompt Have you ever tried to run away or hide from a problem? What was the ultimate outcome? Write about a time that you or someone you know tried to avoid something.

19. “Masque of Red Death”Journal Prompt: Would you want Prince Prospero as a friend? Why or why not? In the journaling section of your notebook, write about whether or not you would choose to be friends with Prince Prospero. Provide detailed reasons to support your decision.

20. Group Work • In groups of four, create a poster for “Masque of Red Death” that includes the following: • Protagonist • Antagonist • Brief 1-2 sentence plot summary • 4-5 symbols and their possible meanings (at least 1-2 that we have NOT discussed in class) • 3 examples of imagery—include exact sentence, page number, and sense involved • 1-2 possible morals of this allegory • Decoration/illustration is welcome!