1. Aim: How do we recognize and interpret
symbolism in poetry?
Agenda: Copy Aim, T.A.P., H.W., Motivation mini lesson, class activity.
CCLS: RL.9-10.1, W.9-10.2, SL.9-10.4
Swbat: Define symbolism, identify , and give examples of symbolism in poetry,
H.W. 1) Read “Annabel Lee”, cite three more
Examples of symbolism in the poem.
3. Mini Lesson:
( 10 min)
Our language contains an immense number of symbols whose intended meaning or
significance is well-known and accepted by the majority.
Black is used to represent death or evil.
A chain can symbolize the coming together of two things
What does this symbolize?
4. What is meant by symbolism?
Symbolism is the practice or art of using an object or a word to
represent an abstract idea.
An action, person, place, word, or object can all have a symbolic
meaning.
When an author wants to suggest a certain mood or emotion, he can
also use symbolism to
hint at it, rather than just blatantly saying it.
6. Class Activity: Recognizing symbols in “Annabel
Lee”.
Vocabulary:
Seraphs- A celestial being having three pairs of wings.
Sepulchre-a burial vault, tomb, or grave.
.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmTv7O40SR8
7. Annabel Lee
by Edgar Allan Poe
It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.
8. I was a child and she was a child,
In this kingdom by the sea:
But we loved with a love that was more than love--
I and my Annabel Lee;
With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven
Coveted her and me.
(10 min) Find an example of symbolism is this stanza of the
Poem. Explain.
Summary: What is meant by symbolism? Give an example.
The Kingdom: The kingdom, being one of the first symbols in the poem, represents the tyranny and cruelty of people. Despite the reoccurrence of the line "in a kingdom by the sea" in line twenty, it has a totally different meaning than it did in line two. It is there that the "highborn kinsmen" first take Annabel from the narrator. It is then that the mood of the poem first changes, and that the kingdom is linked to the speaker's hatred towards other people's powers, mainly their ability to take Annabel from him.
The Sea: Throughout "Annabel Lee" the biggest and most reoccurring symbol is the sea. The sea is many times thought of as being big, open, and lonely. It is because of this that the sea in "Annabel Lee" reflects the emotions that the narrator is feeling such as, emptiness and loneliness. The sea can also be seen as a powerful force of nature which also symbolizes the power of the memory of Annabel on the narrator's life, constantly controlling his life and thoughts. More importantly, however, the sea being endless represents the couple's love, never ending and continual
Annabel Lee: Annabel is seen as a direct symbol of Poe's real life love Virginia Clemm. And because of this, Annabel represents the love and pain that Poe himself felt after her death. As well, Annabel is a representation of perfection and beauty. Throughout "Annabel Lee" the reader never truly is given a description of Annabel. The only real characteristic given is her beauty, the narrator stating a number of times,"Of the beautiful Annabel Lee" (lines 33,35,37). And due to this lack of description, Annabel is seen as a symbol of perfection, lacking of any type of flaws, which makes her beauty on the inside just as radiant as the outside.
