Introduction
What comes to mind when you hear the word "symbolism"? For many, it may be the image of a dull teacher, droning on and on about what seems like nothing. "Why did the main character eat soup?" Why should I know! The character was probably hungry! Why does everything have to have a "deeper meaning"? What does it matter?
In reality, the symbolism of literature matters a great deal.
Symbols are a tool used by authors and artists alike as a form of shorthand to portray ideas. The use of symbols in media can add depth to the piece, and insight into the author’s purpose or message. Symbolism can also foster conversation, differing interpretations, and new perspectives on the piece. For example, symbolism in The Great Gatsby has been analyzed and discussed to a great extent.
This assignment sets out to help you appreciate symbolism for character motivation in a creative way. So, remember--have fun!
Task
For this assignment, you will need to choose a character from The Great Gatsby and create a digital collage to represent him/her. Your collage must include 5 symbols, with a detailed description of what the symbols mean and how they relate to the character. Avoid symbols that are too obvious--the point of the assignment is to use symbolism to analyze character motivation.
Process
First, choose a character--Gatsby, Nick, Daisy, Tom, Myrtle, George--any character will work, as long as you can explain your choices in symbols. In choosing symbols, it would be helpful to make a list of character traits, motivations, and events related to the character before finding the actual symbols. After a character and his/her traits are chosen, then you find your symbols. Below I will provide some helpful lists in symbols and their meanings, to get you started, but obviously, you are not confined to just these. Make a list of possible symbols and the character traits or events they correspond to.
http://www.mohamedrabeea.com/books/book1_4209.pdf
https://s3.amazonaws.com/hwdsbcommons/wp-content/uploads/sites/2189/2017/03/symbols.pdf
http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-symbolism.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_symbolism
http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/aboutflowers/flower-meanings
http://www.aboutflowers.com/flower-a-plant-information-and-photos/meanings-of-flowers.html
http://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/meaning-of-colors.html
NOTE: Though flower and color symbols are by far the easiest and simplest symbols, do not rely just on them. This is to be a creative project. Therefore, flower symbols will count as one, single symbol, no matter how many flowers are present in the collage, though you will have to explain all of the flowers if you use more than one.
Since your collage is digital, you are free to use any photo editing software you choose, whichever is easiest for you. I recommend Pixlr Editor. Below are some guides and tutorials in using the site, if needed.
http://pixlrtutorial.blogspot.com/p/tutorials-navigation.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-the-Pixlr-Online-Image-Editor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMUtOx5Ka6Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y28QW05xtI8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH0VVWHKCIs
To collect your images, simply search the name of your symbol into Google Images--however, make sure to add "transparent" to the end of your search. For example, "white rose transparent" or "transparent white rose". This will bring up images without a white background. To confirm the image is truly transparent, make sure the preview image has a white and grey checkerboard background. However, if you cannot find a transparent image, instead use an image with a plain white background, and then use the wand tool to delete the background in your editing program. (SOURCES ARE NOT NEEDED FOR YOUR IMAGES)
Make sure your collage is neat and aesthetically pleasing, with at least 5 symbols pertaining to your character. After the collage is completed, make sure to save it properly, either as an image or in a word/google doc. Afterwards, in a separate document, write and explain all of your symbols in a list. Email both the image and symbol explanation docs at the same time, or share them on Google docs. You will need to be able to easily pull up your image to present it!
Below is an example of a collage using another well-known character: Ariel from Disney's The Little Mermaid.
Also below is a link to an example symbolism document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TRa3v6-lXs4i9RTtZlYtaIskddABju4RynTAkiqX-_k/edit?usp=sharing
In the case the link does not work, the example list is also under the Teacher Page of this webquest.
Evaluation
| Unsatisfactory | Developint | Proficient | Exceptional | |
| Symbols | Uses less than 5, insignificant/lazy symbols | Uses less than 5 symbols, or uses 5 minor symbols | Uses 5 symbols | Uses 5 or more meaningful symbols |
| Explanation of Symbols | Uninspired analysis of symbols, or lack of analysis at all | Meaningful analysis of some symbols, lackluster analysis of most or all symbols | Meaningful analysis of most symbols | Intelligent and eloquent analysis of all symbols and how they pertain to the character |
| Overall Neatness | No effort, lazy, symbols pasted on a page without organization | Disorganized and cluttered | May lapse in some disorder but is generally organized | Outstanding organization of image, clear and neat, extremely aesthetically pleasing |
| Presentation | Insufficient presentation, no understanding of topic, symbols, or character, uninteresting to audience | Read from notes rather than from memory, but still seemed to mostly understand symbols | Mostly confident, with an understanding of symbols and characters, may lapse into reading off the page, could answer most questions with ease | Confident presentation, showed thorough understanding of symbols and characters, kept eye contact with audience rather than reading off of the page, could answer audience questions with ease |
| Total: 20 | 0-1 | 2-3 | 3-4 | 5 |
Conclusion
Look back over your collage. Have you learned more about your chosen character? Literary symbols? Image editing? Most importantly, though--did you have at least a little fun with this creative project? If so, then I have done my job properly, and we can both walk away satisfied.
Before we are done here: some discussion questions you may want to try out!
~What symbols have you seen before? Where have you seen them?
~Which symbols did you find most effective?
~Why do you think authors use literary symbols? How do they impact a work?
~Which symbols were the most interesting?
Credits
Teacher Page
SYMBOLISM LIST EXAMPLE
[Name]
[Date]
[Class]
Character: Ariel; Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Symbols
Blue background: The blue gradient represents the ocean, Ariel’s home. The lack of anything else in the background emphasizes how her fascination for humans has become her whole world.
Open hands: Ariel is a very take-charge person, and the hands represent how she actively chased her dreams and passions rather than acting passive towards them.
Red satchel: Ariel used the satchel to gather human-related items. The satchel ties in to her proactive nature, and its location in the collage (in her hands, with the other items “bursting” out of it) represent her heart and her passion for human-things. This passion is held secret but often “bursts” out of her in her excitement.
Flowers (baby’s breath, white camelia, plumeria): All three of these flowers represent youth, naivety, and innocence, with plumeria having the added bonus of being a tropical flower, furthering the connection to the ocean.
Purple ribbon + yellow shell: These represent Ursula and the deal she made with Ariel. The location of the ribbon shows Ursula’s looming shadow over Ariel, and the shell is central in the image as it is the main point of conflict/obstacle in Ariel’s path--the lack of her voice, and the risk she took with the deal in the first place.
Forks: The forks were one of Ariel’s favorite human items. Though she is fascinated with humans, she is very ignorant of them. The forks represent this, as she mistakenly believed they were hair-combs.
Statue of David: Ariel’s prized possession was her statue of Prince Eric, because she believed she was in love with him. However, it can be debated that she, instead, loved the idea of Eric, because he was a human, and to Ariel, he was the pinnacle of humanity. Like the Statue of David, both act as the ideal human man to Ariel, and are arguable interchangeable in her eyes.
Golden angel wings: These further emphasize the idealized view of humans, and of Eric, Ariel has. She is young and naive and sees humans as something perfect and far above the life she is unsatisfied with.