Assignment on Symbolism

ENG 202 Unit 8 Exercise: “Lesson on Symbolism,” John Steinbeck’s “The Chrysanthemums,” Leon

Lewis’s Analysis of the Story, and Symbols in Your Story Chosen for Unit 6 (60 points; 5 questions) Use complete sentences and edit carefully to avoid 5 point deduction.

Study my “Lesson on Symbolism”

1. According to my “Lesson on Symbolism,” how do authors draw attention to symbols in five ways? (5 points)

Applying my “Lesson on Symbolism” to John Steinbeck’s story “The Chrysanthemums”

2. John Steinbeck draws attention to the fact that chrysanthemums are a symbol by titling his story “The Chrysanthemums.” Which of other fours ways, as noted in my “Lesson on Symbolism,” does Steinbeck use

to draw attention to chrysanthemums as a symbol in his story? To earn full points, take time to explain the

ways that Steinbeck draws attention to this symbol. (15 points)

Study Leon Lewis’s analysis of “The Chrysanthemums”

3. After studying Leon Lewis’s section titled “The Story,” what important insight did you gain into the story? To earn full credit, explain something in the story that challenged you, quote the part of Lewis’ section that

enlightened you, and explain in your own words how his interpretation enhanced your understanding of the

story.

Put “quotation marks around wording copied from his article” and credit him by signaling Lewis reveals or

by putting his last name in parentheses (Lewis). (15 points)

4. In his section titled “Style and Technique,” Lewis explains, “Steinbeck has chosen to connect her [Elisa’s] psychic state to the season, the climate, and the terrain she inhabits.” Then Lewis goes on to interpret what the season, climate and terrain come to symbolize about Elisa’s situation and her final

outcome. Mainly using your own words to demonstrate your understanding of Lewis’s interpretation,

explain the connections he draws between Elisa and the season, climate, and terrain.

If you do want to copy a phrase or sentence from Lewis, put “quotation marks around his words” and credit

him by signaling Lewis interprets or by putting his last name in parentheses (Lewis).

He draws several connections in his three paragraphs, so to earn full credit, explain each connection and

make sure to explain what he ultimately concludes about Elisa’s situation. (20 points)

Examine Your Chosen Story from Unit 6 to identify potential symbols

5. Make a list of potential symbols in the story you chose from my list for Unit 6. List at least FIVE or more possible symbols. You do NOT have to INTERPRET their symbolism yet—this is just identification

practice. (5 points)

Here is a sample list of potential symbols in “The Chrysanthemums”:

Chrysanthemums, yellow, fence, the season, the climate, the terrain, the orchard,

clothing, scissors, the fights, wagon, the dogs, her bath, wine