RETEACH

Name: Date:

SYMBOLISM

A symbol is a person, place, or thing that stands for an idea beyond itself, such as
love, hate, or power. For example, a heart symbolizes love, while the color purple
symbolizes royalty.
An author may choose to repeatedly focus on a specific symbol to emphasize a
specific idea. As you analyze symbols, think about how the symbolic meaning of
an item fits within the context of the story.

DIRECTIONS: Read the passages below. Then, answer the questions that follow.

Li-Hua sat in her bedroom and looked out the window at the twilight skyline of
Shanghai. It had been six weeks since her time as an exchange student in
America had ended, and she was missing her best friend Jenny. She noticed the
moon rising from behind the Shanghai Center Tower.
Li-Hua remembered Jenny pointing to the moon rising behind the Hancock
Tower in Chicago and remarking, “Think about how many people all over the
world are looking up at the moon right now!” Li-Hua tried to remember if it
would be nighttime in Chicago. She took a picture of the moon to send to
Jenny.

1. What symbol stands out in this passage?

The symbol of the moon

2. What does the symbol represent?

The moon represents the bond between Jenny and Li-Hua
Corey looked at a map of Egypt. He tried to find the city of Giza. The Great
Pyramid, thousands of years old, stood there. He tried to imagine standing at the
base of the biggest pyramid and gazing up to the sky.
Each individual stone of the pyramid was much bigger than he was, and
inside was even more incredible. The mysterious passageways, traps, and
treasure rooms he had read about stirred his imagination. One day, he would
visit the pyramid. He was determined.

3. What symbol stands out in this passage?

The pyramid

4. What does the symbol represent?

The pyramid represents Corey's life, with each stone being part of his life

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 PRACTICE

Name: Date:

SYMBOLISM

DIRECTIONS: Read the passages below. Then, answer the questions that follow.
Alan asked Wachiwi why her family stays on the Native American reservation
instead of moving to the city. “Because of the cottonwood trees that grow on Pine
Ridge Reservation,” she responded. “You cannot use their branches for kindling;
they smoke more than they burn.
“You cannot use them to build houses; the wood breaks too easily. European
settlers saw them as useless trees. But their roots grow deep and far, like the
roots of our people. These trees provide the only shade available on the
plains,” she said. “My family likes to live in peace. They have what they need.
And nobody disturbs them on land others think is useless.”

1. What symbol stands out in this paragraph?

The cottonwood tree

2. What does this symbol represent?

The cottonwood tree represents Wachiwi's land and family

As a child, I loved the outdoors. For my fourth birthday, it seemed fitting that my
father chose to give me a tree for a present. I remember planting that tree,
digging in the dirt, playing in the seemingly vast crater that would hold the roots,
and wondering when I would be able to pick a delicious pear. I was sure it would
be the next day.
I remember my father saying, “When you are older, you will truly appreciate
this tree.” I thought I could not love it more. But I do. My plane lands in an
hour, and I will drive another hour to reach my childhood home. The first thing
I will do is pluck a pear from that beautiful old tree and, once again, thank my
father for the most wonderful birthday gift ever.
3. What symbol stands out in this paragraph?
The pear tree

4. What does this symbol represent?

The pear tree represents the boy, constantly growing as life goes on and changing

5. What idea do the symbols from both passages share?

They both are a tree and both have to do with change. The cottonwood tree doesn't change
while the world around changes, and the pear tree changes along with the boy

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