SYMBOLISM

A symbol is something which, as well as being itself, stands for something else. For example, the
Olympic Games sign is 5 linked circles. But the circles also represent the 5 continents that take
part in the Olympic Games. The flag of your country is a physical object made of cloth and
wood. However, it is also a symbol of your nation.

Writers use symbols in poetry to explore complicated topics and themes. For example, if you
were writing about death, you might use symbols like the colour black or a skull. These are
symbols that make the reader see images and feel emotions connected to death. The symbols
represent ideas and feelings without talking about them directly.

ACTIVITY 1

Danger. Music. Time. Thought.

Match the symbol and the word.

a.

b.

c.
d.

ANSWER.

a. time
b. danger
c. music.
d. thought.

ACTIVITY 2
Identify the symbol in each sentence.
What emotion does each represent? Choose from the box below.
death hope peace love
innocence

a. She stared at the rainbow as it stretched across the sky.

b. My darling is like a red, rose that blooms in Summer.
c. The old man watched the golden leaf falling from the tree branches.
d. The fallen snow covered the distant hills.
e. And from the house, two white doves flew high.

ANSWER
a. She stared at the rainbow as it stretched across the sky. hope
b. My darling is like a red rose that blooms in Summer. love
c. The old man watched the golden leaf falling from the tree branches. death
d. The fallen snow covered the distant hills. innocence
e. And from the house, two white doves flew high. peace