{"id":444,"date":"2016-10-31T16:28:31","date_gmt":"2016-10-31T16:28:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/ivytech-engl206-master\/?post_type=chapter&p=444"},"modified":"2017-01-11T19:41:41","modified_gmt":"2017-01-11T19:41:41","slug":"symbolism-assignment","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-introliterature\/chapter\/symbolism-assignment\/","title":{"raw":"Symbolism Assignment","rendered":"Symbolism Assignment"},"content":{"raw":"Listen to a reading by the author of the poem \u201cAlley\u201d<\/a> (or read it below) and think of possible meanings. Maybe list some of the major images.\r\n

1. Find at least 3 items that could be symbolic.<\/h2>\r\nA symbol means what it actually is\u2026 and more.\r\n\r\nFor example, a cross or a crucifix is a piece of metal shaped like the letter T. But it obviously has more meaning. It can stand for Christianity, Jesus, suffering, or countless other concepts.\r\n\r\nWhen explaining a symbol, be sure to tell how it relates to the poem. How does the symbol add meaning to the piece?\r\n

2. Are there enough symbols in the poem to create an allegory?<\/h2>\r\nAn allegory is a narrative with a series of symbols. Each symbol stands for something specific, almost like a code.\r\n\r\nIs there enough \u201cstory\u201d in this poem to make it a narrative? How would uncovering an allegory in this poem help reveal the meaning?\r\n

Alley<\/h1>\r\nby Tom Chester (May 2000)\r\n\r\nThere are alleys in my neighborhood\r\nAbout a century old.\r\nThey are cinders and stone.\r\nAround the fringes so little grows.\r\nFind sparse tufts of weeds.\r\nTheir hearts are sinew,\r\nPale with rock dust--\r\nPioneers stuck on badlands.\r\n\r\nTake the alley.\r\nHide in the narrow memories of tarpaper.\r\nRest in velvet bench seats\r\nOf big bodied Chevys\r\nLike innocent, rounded pin-up girls.\r\nLook away from chiseled front doors\r\nExtra-green manicured lawns\r\nWhite crisp siding\r\nAnd smooth blacktop drives.\r\n\r\nIn my alley\r\nI found an arm\r\nOf a child\u2019s doll like a cherub-\r\nDirty and broken, fallen to earth.\r\nI found soiled lace and feathers too\r\nIn an oil can drum\r\nNot far from view.\r\n\r\nIn my alley\r\nEven angels hide\r\nWhen their hearts aren\u2019t pure enough to fly\r\nOn the right side\r\nWhere the brethren don\u2019t want them\r\nRound back of the house.\r\n\r\nTake the alley\r\nA shortcut for some\r\nWho embrace the seedy, forgotten race.\r\nI jump the fence in my alley.\r\nI know my place.\r\nI travel with broken angels by night.\r\nI hide in the day and stay out of sight.","rendered":"

Listen to a reading by the author of the poem \u201cAlley\u201d<\/a> (or read it below) and think of possible meanings. Maybe list some of the major images.<\/p>\n

1. Find at least 3 items that could be symbolic.<\/h2>\n

A symbol means what it actually is\u2026 and more.<\/p>\n

For example, a cross or a crucifix is a piece of metal shaped like the letter T. But it obviously has more meaning. It can stand for Christianity, Jesus, suffering, or countless other concepts.<\/p>\n

When explaining a symbol, be sure to tell how it relates to the poem. How does the symbol add meaning to the piece?<\/p>\n

2. Are there enough symbols in the poem to create an allegory?<\/h2>\n

An allegory is a narrative with a series of symbols. Each symbol stands for something specific, almost like a code.<\/p>\n

Is there enough \u201cstory\u201d in this poem to make it a narrative? How would uncovering an allegory in this poem help reveal the meaning?<\/p>\n

Alley<\/h1>\n

by Tom Chester (May 2000)<\/p>\n

There are alleys in my neighborhood
\nAbout a century old.
\nThey are cinders and stone.
\nAround the fringes so little grows.
\nFind sparse tufts of weeds.
\nTheir hearts are sinew,
\nPale with rock dust–
\nPioneers stuck on badlands.<\/p>\n

Take the alley.
\nHide in the narrow memories of tarpaper.
\nRest in velvet bench seats
\nOf big bodied Chevys
\nLike innocent, rounded pin-up girls.
\nLook away from chiseled front doors
\nExtra-green manicured lawns
\nWhite crisp siding
\nAnd smooth blacktop drives.<\/p>\n

In my alley
\nI found an arm
\nOf a child\u2019s doll like a cherub-
\nDirty and broken, fallen to earth.
\nI found soiled lace and feathers too
\nIn an oil can drum
\nNot far from view.<\/p>\n

In my alley
\nEven angels hide
\nWhen their hearts aren\u2019t pure enough to fly
\nOn the right side
\nWhere the brethren don\u2019t want them
\nRound back of the house.<\/p>\n

Take the alley
\nA shortcut for some
\nWho embrace the seedy, forgotten race.
\nI jump the fence in my alley.
\nI know my place.
\nI travel with broken angels by night.
\nI hide in the day and stay out of sight.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t

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Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
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