Author Created Symbols
We know that sometimes, symbols always mean the same thing, that culture and society have determined what they mean. On the other hand, sometimes, authors create a symbol unique to the text they are writing. For example, Harper Lee, in To Kill a Mockingbird, created the mockingbird not as a symbol of freedom, but a symbol of oppression and the people that didn't do anything to deserve that oppression.
In American Experience, we'll challenge you to find not only the common cultural symbols, but also the symbols unique to particular texts.
Some hints for finding and interpreting author created symbols:
1. Identify the symbol. What object or thing seems to have more emotional weight than it really deserves? What object gets repeated a lot?
2. Notice all the times that that object gets mentioned, all the descriptions of the object, and all the people's emotions about the object.
3. Determine the most important references to that object, the ones that might give you a hint of the abstract idea behind the obejct.
4. Take a guess at what that object might mean or represent. Test your guess. Refine your guess.
5. Relate your guess to theme. How does this symbol show you the theme of the story? How would your understanding of theme be different without the object?
Below, find some examples of the kinds of symbols I'm talking about:
In American Experience, we'll challenge you to find not only the common cultural symbols, but also the symbols unique to particular texts.
Some hints for finding and interpreting author created symbols:
1. Identify the symbol. What object or thing seems to have more emotional weight than it really deserves? What object gets repeated a lot?
2. Notice all the times that that object gets mentioned, all the descriptions of the object, and all the people's emotions about the object.
3. Determine the most important references to that object, the ones that might give you a hint of the abstract idea behind the obejct.
4. Take a guess at what that object might mean or represent. Test your guess. Refine your guess.
5. Relate your guess to theme. How does this symbol show you the theme of the story? How would your understanding of theme be different without the object?
Below, find some examples of the kinds of symbols I'm talking about:
The West Wing - Season 4, Episode 6
The West Wing consistently uses common cultural symbols, but I especially like the symbols unique to this episode. Watch for multiple people making a big deal about an inanimate object. What does that object represent?
IMDB Summary
Amazon.com watch link
IMDB Summary
Amazon.com watch link
Once Upon a Time - Season 1, Episode 21
Once Upon a Time also consistently uses common cultural symbols; most fairy tales do and since this modern TV show is twists all the fairy tales, it makes sense it would take, use, and twist the symbols, too. Watch for inanimate objects that hold power over people. Think biblically to determine why the original fairy tale used that object and how Once Upon a Time is twisting that symbol.
IMDB Summary
Hulu Watch Link
Also available on Netflix
IMDB Summary
Hulu Watch Link
Also available on Netflix
Everybody's Fine
I'm not sure this movie even came to theater's in central Wisconsin, but it does do a good job with symbols. Starring Robert Dinero and Drew Barrymore, this father and adult children story made me cry and then call my mom. And that's a hint about the symbols unique to this text. Watch for what's over people's shoulders and in nearly every transition shot.
IMDB Summary
IMDB Summary
