Day 53: Teaching Symbolism in Literature Lesson Plan
This lesson is designed to help students move beyond what happens in a story and start thinking about what it means. Symbolism and imagery are powerful tools for helping students uncover deeper themes, character motivations, and author intent—no matter what novel they’re reading.
I like this lesson because it’s flexible. You can drop it into almost any unit, and the thinking work transfers beautifully from book to book.
1. Introduction to the Day
Start by reminding students that authors rarely choose details at random. Objects, colors, weather, and recurring images often carry meaning beyond their literal role in the story.
You might say something like:
Today, we’re going to look at how authors hide meaning in plain sight—and how readers learn to notice it.
Briefly outline the plan for the period so students know they’ll be reading, reviewing a grammar concept, and then doing some higher-level thinking about symbolism and imagery.
2. Silent Reading (20 minutes)
Students read independently from their current novel.
As they read, encourage them to stay alert for:
Repeated objects or images
Strong descriptions that stand out
Details that seem emotionally charged or emphasized
No note-taking is required yet—this is about awareness, not analysis.
3. Compound Sentences
Provide a short introduction to compound sentences as a warm-up grammar focus.
Keep it light and simple:
A compound sentence joins two independent clauses
The clauses are often connected with a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
Let students know you’ll be sharing a full lesson or resource later. For now, this is just about exposure and recognition.
Click here for the full compound sentences lesson plan.
4. Brief Review of Symbolism and Imagery
Symbolism
Symbolism occurs when an object, action, or detail represents something more than its literal meaning.
Examples you can mention without tying them to a specific text:
A journey representing personal growth
Light symbolizing hope or truth
A broken object reflecting a fractured relationship
Imagery
Imagery is the use of vivid sensory details—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—to create strong mental pictures for the reader.
Explain that imagery often supports symbolism by making symbols more memorable and emotionally powerful.
5. Student Task: Universal Symbolism & Imagery Questions
Students create five thoughtful questions about symbolism and imagery that could apply to any novel.
Their questions should push readers to think, not just locate details.
You might guide them with prompts like:
Questions that begin with Why might…, How does…, or What could this represent…
Questions that focus on patterns, repetition, or emotional impact
Examples (do not require students to copy these):
What object or image appears repeatedly, and what might it symbolize?
How does imagery help reveal a character’s emotional state?
What setting detail might represent a larger theme?
How does the author use contrast (light/dark, warmth/cold, silence/noise) symbolically?
What image best captures the message of the novel so far?
Students can complete this independently and save the questions for later discussion, journal responses, or assessments.
6. Conclusion
Wrap up by reinforcing that symbolism and imagery are not about finding the correct answer, but about making thoughtful, text-based interpretations.
End with a reminder:
Strong readers notice patterns. Even stronger readers ask why those patterns exist.
Let students know they’ll return to these questions as their novels develop—and that symbolism often becomes clearer as the story unfolds.
