​Why do I ask?

​Today, we will start our last short story of Unit 1.

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​1937 by Edwidge Danticat from her book, Krik? Krak!

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​Danticat uses strong imagery to create symbolism throughout the story to commuicate her complex perspective about life in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

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​Today, we will discuss what symbolism is and how it is used.

​Meet the Author - Edwidge Danticat

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Haitian-American Author

Writer of various novels and short-stories

Dealing with her history and the history of her family.​

1937 - Historical Background

​http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x25k_-Katf4​

​Symbolism

SYMBOLISM: An image or object meant to represent a character, theme, or plot item.​

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• ​Symbols can communicate meaning in ways that transcend literal description or language.

• ​Symbolism is a form of figurative language and meaning-making.

• ​Sometimes, an image or description in a text represents an idea.

​Why do authors use symbolism?

​To SHOW instead of TELLING--

Symbols make reading more interesting.  Just like a music video will SHOW YOU expensive things, instead of a musician just TELLING YOU that they are rich.

2.  To make a point more subtly

Stories that just tell you everything are boring

​How can we identify symbols?

​1. DOES IT STAND OUT?  

Does something show up again and again?  Is something vividly described?  GOOD AUTHORS PUT THINGS IN STORIES FOR A REASON.

2.  COULD IT CONNECT 

to a characterization, theme, or plot item that exists in the story?

​Next Steps for Today

• ​Watch the video posted to the discussion board.

• ​Create one original response, answering all 4 questions, analyzing the symbolism in the video you saw

• ​Comment on at least one classmate's response

• ​Reflect on how you can use the same process to analyze symbols in the story, 1937

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Read the text, 1937, posted in Blackboard. Jot down any images or objects that you think have symbolic meaning. Be ready to discuss these tomorrow