Introduction
In The Scarlet Ibis, James Hurst uses symbolism to develop his style and ideas. Throughout the course of the story, there are several different examples of symbolism. This webquest will help you understand what symbolism is, how it is used in daily life, and how it can be used in literature.
Task
You will search the web for various concepts related to symbolism and record your findings on the WebQuest worksheet you received in class. Be sure to complete all steps of the WebQuest. The easiest way to do this will be to have two tabs open, one for traveling to each required site, and one that you keep on the actual WebQuest page so you can easily find your next activity.
Process
Complete the Activities in the order listed below. You may have to cut and paste the URL into a new browser in order to get to each page.
Activity #1:
Visit this website to read about symbolism and complete the Activity #1 questions on your WebQuest handout.
http://grammar.about.com/od/rs/g/symbolismterm.htm
Activity #2
Visit this website and watch the video at the bottom of the page. complete the Activity #2 questions on your WebQuest handout. (The answers are in the video)
http://www.loveyourpencil.com/index.php/learning-activities/90-symbolism
Activity #3
Visit this website to learn about color symbolism and complete the Activity #3 questions on your WebQuest handout.
http://www.incredibleart.org/lessons/middle/color2.htm
Activity #4
Visit this website to learn about the Scarlet Ibis and complete the Actiivty #4 questions on your WebQuest handout
http://www1.broward.edu/~ssimpson/medford.html
Evaluation
Let's see how well you understand symbolism after your WebQuest. Read the poem below and answer the questions that follow. Record your answers on your WebQuest worksheet.
The Road Not Taken ♦
By Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
1. What might the 2 roads represent (or symbolize)?
2. Why do you think the speaker will be "telling this with a sigh" years from now?
3. Do you think the speaker believes he took the right road? Support your answer.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have explored the world of symbolism and will now have a better understanding of how it is used in literature as we read The Scarlet Ibis.
Don't foget to turn in your WebQuest sheet.
Credits
Thanks to the following web resources.
Grammar.about.com
Loveyourpencil.com
Incredibleart.org
broward.edu