Symoblism Handout

Am.Lit. B

O’Pioneers The Symbolism Within As a group, discuss the following, determining what symbolism Willa Cather may have intended each to imply. In parenthesis you will find the characters that have been involved with the symbolic object(s) during the story. Wild Ducks: (Alex, Emil, Marie) _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

Alfalfa: (Alex, Oscar and Lou) _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ The New Silo: (Alex, Oscar and Lou, workers) _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

Am.Lit. B

Apricot Trees: (Carl and Alex, Marie) _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Ivar’s Bare Feet: (Ivar) _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Frank’s Yellow Walking Stick: (Frank, Marie, Alex) _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ White Mulberry Tree: (Marie, Emil, Frank) _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

Am.Lit. B

Two White Butterflies: (Emil, Marie, Ivar) _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Marie’s Trees – The Orchard: (Marie, Emil, Alex, Frank) _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________