Power

Power in stories is often explored by having one person or thing have power over another.

For example, when I was in sixth grade, that particular winter seemed very, very long. My classmates and I had inside recess for months. It was still, but a more mild day, when our principal came over the loud speaker and announced that we would be having outside recess. My friend and I were so excited that we jumped in the air and shouted, "Hooray! " A teacher was walking past as my friend and I were celebrating. This teacher took our recess away from us for shouting in the hallway. I was shocked! I was powerless. I spent that recess in his classroom writing, over and over, "I will not shout in the hallway. " In that situation, I had no say in what was happening. The teacher was one who yelled if you spoke, so I just went and sat down. It's clear to see who had the power and who didn't. 

So, looking at who had the power and who does not in the story can provide clues about how the story was influenced and how it unfolded.

• What are you noticing about power that affects how the story is being told? 

• Who has the power?  Who lacks the power?

• Is the power creating a problem for either characters?  

Symbolism

Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities, by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense.

Symbolism can take different forms. Generally, it is an object representing another, to give an entirely different meaning that is much deeper and more significant. Sometimes, however, an action, an event or a word spoken by someone may have a symbolic value. For instance, “smile” is a symbol of friendship. Similarly, the action of someone smiling at you may stand as a symbol of the feeling of affection which that person has for you.  Think of the ball in All Ball.  That was symbolism.

Symbols do shift their meanings depending on the context they are used in. “A chain,” for example, may stand for “union” as well as “imprisonment”. Thus, symbolic meaning of an object or an action is understood by when, where, and how it is used. It also depends on who reads the work.

So, looking at symbolism in the story can provide clues about how the story was influenced and how it unfolded.

• What are you noticing about the symbols that affects how the story is being told? 

• What does the symbolism tell you about the character? 

What Readers Think About When Reading Critically

• We notice the impact of the setting on the characters.

• We think about whether a character's traits affect him/her.

• We see the story from different characters' points of view.

• We consider how the social issue affects the story.

• We think about whether a character's actions are fair or unfair.

• We try to understand what the author is trying to teach us.

• We notice the pressure that characters face.

• We try to understand what a character really wants and feels.

• We study and interpret symbols to better understand the story.

• We think about who in the story has power over others.