Poetic Justice: Verse and Voice · Term 4

Metaphor and Symbolism

Analyzing how poets use figurative language to represent abstract ideas through concrete objects.

About This Topic

Metaphor and symbolism are the 'secret code' of literature. In Grade 7, students move beyond identifying similes to analyzing how extended metaphors and complex symbols represent abstract ideas. The Ontario curriculum encourages students to see how these literary devices add layers of meaning to a text, often reflecting cultural values or universal human experiences. For example, a river might symbolize the passage of time, or a locked door might represent a character's internal barriers.

By mastering these concepts, students become more sophisticated readers who can 'read between the lines.' This topic is highly conceptual and benefits from visual and collaborative approaches. When students work together to 'decode' a symbol or create their own visual metaphors, they move from literal thinking to abstract analysis. This is a crucial developmental leap in Grade 7, preparing them for the more complex literary analysis required in high school.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze how specific concrete objects in poems function as symbols for abstract concepts.
• Explain how an extended metaphor clarifies a complex or difficult idea for a reader.
• Compare and contrast the symbolic meanings of a single object across two different poems.
• Create an original poem that uses at least one extended metaphor or two distinct symbols to represent an abstract idea.

Before You Start

Identifying Similes and Metaphors

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of basic figurative language to grasp more complex forms like extended metaphors and symbolism.

Literal vs. Figurative Language

Why: Understanding the difference between what words literally mean and what they suggest is essential for interpreting symbols and metaphors.

Key Vocabulary

Metaphor	A figure of speech where a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable, suggesting a resemblance. It states that one thing *is* another.
Extended Metaphor	A metaphor developed at length, occurring frequently throughout a piece of writing, where an author explores a single comparison in detail.
Symbol	An object, person, or idea that represents something else, often an abstract concept, beyond its literal meaning.
Concrete Object	Something that can be perceived by the senses, such as a tree, a house, or a bird, as opposed to an abstract idea like freedom or love.
Abstract Idea	A concept that is not concrete or tangible, such as courage, hope, or despair, which cannot be directly perceived by the senses.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Symbolism Suitcase

Groups are given a 'suitcase' of physical objects (e.g., a compass, a wilted flower, a key). They must brainstorm at least three abstract ideas each object could represent in a story and present their 'symbolic map' to the class.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: Metaphor Makeover

Students take a boring, literal sentence (e.g., 'He was very angry') and work with a partner to turn it into a powerful metaphor (e.g., 'His anger was a dormant volcano, ready to coat the room in ash').

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

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Gallery Walk: Visual Metaphors

Display famous paintings or photographs. Students circulate and identify one element in the image that they think is a symbol, explaining what it represents and why the artist might have included it.

⏱ 30 min·Whole Class

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Real-World Connections

Graphic designers use symbols and visual metaphors in advertising to quickly convey complex messages about products or brands, such as a dove representing peace or a shield representing security.

Filmmakers employ symbolism and extended metaphors to add depth and thematic resonance to their stories, for instance, using a recurring object like a specific car to symbolize a character's journey or internal conflict.

Political cartoonists frequently use symbols and metaphors to critique social or political issues, representing abstract concepts like corruption with a snake or bureaucracy with a tangled ball of string.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

A symbol always means the same thing.

What to Teach Instead

Students often want a 'dictionary' of symbols (e.g., 'a bird always means freedom'). Active comparison of different poems helps them see that context is everything, a bird in a cage means something very different than a bird in a storm.

Common Misconception

Metaphors are just 'fancy' ways of saying things.

What to Teach Instead

Students may think metaphors are unnecessary. Through 'The Literal vs. Figurative Challenge,' show them how a metaphor can convey a complex feeling in five words that would take a whole paragraph of literal description to explain.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a short poem excerpt containing a clear symbol. Ask them to identify the symbol, state what abstract idea it represents, and write one sentence explaining their reasoning.

Discussion Prompt

Present two poems that use the same object (e.g., a road) but with different symbolic meanings. Ask students: 'How does the poet's word choice and context influence the symbolic meaning of the road in each poem? Which interpretation do you find more compelling and why?'

Quick Check

Display an image of a common symbol (e.g., a broken chain, a rising sun). Ask students to write down two different abstract ideas it could represent and briefly explain one of those connections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a metaphor and a symbol?

A metaphor is a direct comparison (e.g., 'The world is a stage'), while a symbol is a concrete object that stands for an abstract idea throughout a work (e.g., a white dove representing peace). Metaphors are usually 'one-offs,' while symbols often recur.

How do I teach symbolism in Indigenous literature?

Focus on the connection to the land and animals. In many Indigenous cultures, animals are not just 'symbols' but relatives with specific teachings. Use stories like 'The Seven Sacred Teachings' to show how animals represent values like courage, honesty, and respect.

How can active learning help students understand metaphor and symbolism?

Active learning makes the abstract 'visible.' When students have to physically sort objects into 'literal' and 'symbolic' categories or act out a metaphor in a game of charades, they are engaging their spatial and kinesthetic intelligence to grasp a concept that is often too 'airy' for direct instruction alone.

How can I help students create their own symbols in writing?

Start with 'Personal Symbols.' Have students choose an object from their own life that represents a part of their identity. This makes the concept of symbolism personal and easier to apply to their own creative writing.