To understand symbolism in literature, students should first learn that symbolism is something that extends beyond literature into our everyday lives. Red octagons mean “stop.” Green pieces of paper with presidents on them are symbolic of currency. Ask students to come up with their own examples. Then, prepare a list of items that are symbols and ask students to work them into sentences. For instance, on a traffic light, green means to proceed. If your symbol is a green light, a student example might be, “My mom gave me the green light to go camping this weekend.”
Colors are rich in symbolism. Red can symbolize danger or excitement. Blue can symbolize calm or sadness. Because all students are different, they may attach a wide variety of meanings to colors. To broaden your students’ perceptions of the symbolism of different colors, have them draw a rainbow, then color in the rainbow with the seven colors of the spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Have them assign adjectives to each color. Collect the assignments and compile the adjective for each color and share them with the class.
Regarding symbolism, one of the most difficult concepts for student to grasp is that symbols, by their very nature, are open to interpretation. Often, symbols are interpreted in different ways. When you have finished reading a story or book, hand out a sheet with symbols from the piece and have students explain what they thought each symbol meant. Collect opposing viewpoints and have students participate in a mock debate wherein they argue their interpretations. Opposing viewpoints can often prove enlightening when they expose multiple meanings of symbols.
After you have done some other symbolism games, it’s time to put your students’ power of perception to use in real time. Read a story aloud with the class and have students raise their hands every time they think they have spotted symbolism; then have them explain it. This type of group participation allows students to learn from other students as well as learn from teachers or textbooks.