The literary element of symbolism in literature can be hard for middle school students to comprehend since it takes concrete language and turns it into abstract ideas. They need to be able to understand a passage's literal meaning (denotation) versus the idea or feeling that it symbolizes or evokes (connotation).
These selected passages, which vary in level of difficulty, focus on identifying common symbols that students will come in contact with. Below you will find 26 passages that are relevant to the symbolism literary element - from short stories, poems, and excerpts - these are great for 5th grade through 8th grade.
1. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
This short story is great for literary analysis of symbolism. There are three main symbols: the piece of paper with the dot, the stone, and the box. These symbols are heavily related to the theme of the story, which is that of traditions and rituals.
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2. The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant
The title of the story is the main symbolic meaning. The necklace represents all that Mathilde wants but does not have. It also represents her greed. On the other side there is the jacket her husband gifts her, which is representative of their life of no social status. There are many more symbols that can be explored in this story; including the characters themselves.
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3. Barter by Sara Teasdale
Teasdale writes the poem as if the world is actually selling us things. However, that is the symbolism - that there is a lot in this world to love and be grateful for...if we take the opportunity. Students should easily be able to point out the items that bring joy but will need to dig deeper to find the true meaning.
Learn More: Poetry Foundation
4. The Jacket by Gary Soto
In this story, the Jacket is the main symbol. However, students will have to really think about it's meaning, as it has more than one. The jacket not only symbolizes the poverty of his family but also his thoughts on appearance and his own self-confidence.
Learn More: Common Lit
5. Through the Tunnel by Doris Lessing
The story is one of growing up - from boy to man. It has many symbols that represent this struggle. For example, there is a rocky area before the tunnel that the other boys swim through, leaving Jerry behind - representing he is still a child. Then there is the tunnel itself, which is a symbol of his path to maturity.
Learn More: Good Reads
6. The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus
The poem is very interesting as it compares two different statues - the Statue of Liberty and the Colossus of Rhodes. Students will have to examine what these two symbols stand for throughout the poem and why they are so very different.
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7. The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst
This story is filled with tons of symbolism and is great for when first teaching the literary element if you only want one focus. It has a parallel with a main character Doodle and the Ibis..and ultimately death. It heavily uses the color red or words related to it like blood, and many other symbols as well (the barn, the coffin, bleeding tree, grindstone, etc).
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8. The Nightingale and the Rose by Oscar Wilde
Look for the hidden meanings behind the many symbols in Wilde's story. The title itself - the rose and nightingale are symbols - but also the blue silk represents the materialism of the girl and the oak tree representing friendship. Students will have no trouble finding symbols!
Learn More: Good Reads
9. The Happy Man's Shirt retold by Shirin Sabri
Use this text to identify symbols in fiction folklore and for a comprehension lesson on the concepts of Theme. The story tells of a material object that does not bring happiness or that is something that can't be bought. The shirt being the main symbol, make sure students pay attention to it.
Learn More: Choral Tales
10. Thumbprint by Eve Merriam
The symbol for this poem is given - it's the title. However, what does this symbol represent? Students will need to use the words throughout the poem to decipher the potential meanings the author is trying to convey.
Learn More: Poetry By Heart
11. The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin
The symbolism of the setting is important here. For example, the room in which Louise opens the window is representing freedom and the changing weather. Louise's "heart trouble" is also a symbol of the role of women in the Victorian era and the longing for freedom.
Learn More: Owl Eyes
12. Eleven by Sandra Cisneros
This is an easy read and nice for an introduction lesson plan on meaningful symbolism. Students will gain a better understanding of symbolism, as the reading is relatable and not a very complex text. The symbols include red, which is all that is bad and birthday-related items (cake, birthday song), which are comforting.
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13. Thank You, M'am, by Langston Hughes
A favorite lesson for many busy teachers is "Thank You M'am". The famous poem holds a ton of symbolic significance about growth, desires, and opportunity. Reflection questions can also be used with symbolism to discuss the moral of the poem.
Learn More: Good Reads
14. The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allen Poe
Poe's short story is rich in symbolism and intellectual rigor; especially for learning the concept of color symbolism. The seven rooms are all different colors with different meanings. Plus the other symbols like the clock (passing of time), the abbey (being trapped), and death itself. There are so many symbols that it might be helpful to complete an anchor chart as you read.
Learn More: Poemuseum
15. Identity by Julio Noboa Polancos
A great addition to a poetry unit, this poem uses the description of a weed as its symbol. Students will need to look for the deeper meaning - a symbol of non-conformity.
Learn More: Owlcation
16. Fish Cheeks by Amy Tan
Tan uses symbols of culture, both Chinese (fish heads, belching) and American (mini skirt), to write this short story. The worksheet also comes with comprehension questions and multiple-choice questions.
Learn More: Mr. Fernando Ferrer
17. The Fun They Had by Isaac Asimov
A good passage for younger middle schoolers like 5th and 6th Grade, this story is high-interest science fiction. It is set in the future using books and telebooks as the main symbols of the past and present.
Learn More: Good Reads
18. The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell
A fiction story and an exciting read. The color red and blood are common symbols representing the violence and dangers of being hunted. As well as the symbols of civilization (mansion) and the wild (the island). It is a bit longer of a read so you may want to take more than one class period.
Learn More: American Literature
19. Big Mother by Anya Ow
The read is great for learning about literary symbols and imagery in the digital classroom because it also comes in a podcast. The story tells of young friends trying to catch Big Mother, a fish that represents much more than fun and food, but change and aging.
Learn More: Strange Horizons
20. The Flowers by Alice Walker
An allegory about innocence and the end of childhood that includes several examples of symbolism. For example, the flowers, noose, dead man, the woods, the end of summer, and the pink rose. It would be helpful to have students keep a graphic organizer with the symbols and then find their meaning.
Learn More: D.UMN Edu
21. Snow White by The Brothers Grimm
A well known story that works well with substitute teachers, Snow White uses the predominant symbol of red and white. The significance of colors is that red is the symbol of darkness and white of good. These color symbols play a key role in the story and students can easily pull direct quotes from the story comparing the two.
Learn More: World Of Tales
22. Caged Bird by Maya Angelou
A famous poem and a favorite of fans of symbolism that students will need to comprehend on a deeper level. Angelou uses the bird and cage as a symbol of freedom and oppression. You may want to teach them a dash of history on Angelou before reading the poem for some context.
Learn More: Family Friend Poems
23. Four Skinny Trees by Sandra Cisneros
A vignette from the favorite book, "House on Mango Street" and a high-interest reading passage that teaches symbolism and personification. A key passage in the book touches on the meaning of the tress to Esperanza.
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24. A Song in the Front Yard by Gwendolyn Brooks
Students will have to look at different forms of symbols as the narrator tells her story, comparing the front (good) and backyard (bad). Encourage student engagement by asking them prior to reading what they know about front and backyards.
Learn More: Poetry Foundation
25. Two Kinds by Amy Tan
A chapter passage that is taken from Tan's book, "Joy Luck Club". The symbols, which are many: songs, Shirley Temple, piano, a house, etc are used to understand the conflict between Jing Mei versus her mother. The reading can be used to answer questions on symbolism and conflict.
Learn More: Campus Press Yale
26. Wild Asters by Sara Teasdale
A legendary poem, where the meaning shifts quickly, as it is very short, but says a lot. It goes from the blossoms of life and within a few lines to death. An easy read and simple introduction to symbolism in poetry.
Learn More: All Poetry
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