Activity Overview
Symbolism is an important element in many literary works. Part of the Common Core ELA standards is introducing and explaining this complex concept. Like themes, these ideas are abstract and are often difficult for students to grasp on their own. This is why using a storyboard is helpful. Storyboards allow students to visually demonstrate their understanding of a concept like symbolism.
In the classroom, students can track the six symbols that "The Wedding Dance" uses to communicate ideas about culture and marriage.
Six Symbolic Elements
Gangsas
The gangsas are culturally important. The sound of the gangsas represents the man in the wedding ceremony. Like the gangsas, they are strong and provide a beat to the dance, or a "beat to life".
Dancing
Culturally, the dancing is a celebration of happiness. It is also a show of sexuality by the women. Because Lumnay has not produced a child, she feels ashamed to dance and show herself to the other men, as she believes no one will look at her.
The Fire
The fire or flames signify the burning intensity of both love and hate that Lumnay feels in the situation. When Awiyao stirs the embers in Lumnay’s dark hut, he stirs up both of these feelings in her. Later, as Lumnay watches the bonfire from afar, her physical distance from the fire reflects her emotional separation from the man she loves.
The Beads
The beads in the story symbolize the promise that Awiyao made to Lumnay. They are also very precious and are worth 20 fields. The fact that Awiyao gives them to Lumnay shows that he cherishes her, and that he still believes she has worth. Although Lumnay rejects the hut and field Awiayo offers her, she accepts the beads, suggesting her desire to remain connected to Awiyao.
The Floor
A number of times the narrator draws the reader’s attention to the rattan floor as Lumnay pulls it apart. This is symbolic of their marriage unraveling.
The Night
The nighttime setting symbolically adds to the darkness and isolation that Lumnay feels as she runs away from the village. As she works her way up the dark mountain alone, she is unable to envision a path to the future. The reader, too, is left in darkness with the unresolved ending.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that identifies significant symbols from "The Wedding Dance". Illustrate each symbol and write a short description below each cell.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify at least three symbols from "The Wedding Dance" and replace the title box text.
- Create an image that represents this symbol.
- Write a description of each of the examples.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Symbols | All symbols are correctly identified as objects that represent something else at a higher level in the story. | Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or incomplete. | Most symbols are missing, incomplete, or incorrect. | No symbols are correctly identified. |
| Examples and Descriptions | Quotes and examples are accurate to the symbols that are being identified. Descriptions accurately explain the symbols and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are accurate to the symbols that are being identified. Descriptions mostly accurately explain the symbols, and highlight their significance to the story. | Most quotes and examples are minimal, incorrect, or unrelated to the symbols that are being identified. Descriptions contain inaccuracies in their explanations, or do not highlight their significance to the story. | Examples and descriptions are missing or too minimal to score. |
| Depiction | Depictions chosen for symbols are accurate to the story and reflect time, effort, thought, and care with regard to placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for symbols are mostly accurate to the story. They reflect time and effort put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Depictions chosen for symbols are inaccurate to the story. The depictions may be rushed or show minimal effort, time, and care put into placement and creation of the scenes. | Most depictions are missing too many elements or are too minimal to score. Little time or effort has been put into placement and creation of the scenes. |
| English Conventions | There are no errors in spelling, grammar, or mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions reflect careful proofreading and accuracy to the story. | There are a few errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. All writing portions show accuracy to the story and some proofreading. | There are several errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics throughout the storyboard. Most writing portions do not reflect proofreading or accuracy to the story. | Errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics in writing portions of the storyboard seriously interfere with communication. |
How To Create a Poster for “The Wedding Dance” Using Symbols and Themes
Analyze Themes
Ask the students to identify central ideas and themes present in the story for analysis. Once the themes have been identified, students can hold general discussions and context-specific discussions on these topics. For instance, discussion regarding sacrifice or cultural traditions can be held in both the general sense and context of the story.
Identify Symbols
Help the students identify significant symbols present in the story and their meanings. Students can also perform independent research on the cultural and contextual meanings of each of these symbols and how they can be used in different senses. For instance, the symbol of fire and dance, in a general sense and in the context of the story.
Foster Creativity
Hold a brainstorming session where students can use the themes and symbols to come up with poster ideas. Students can draw the first thing that comes to their minds and connect with the story. They can also use characters and connect them with symbols to represent the depth of the story. Remind the students that the poster should give the essence of the story or give the viewers an idea of what perspective to focus on.
Add Text and Catchy Phrases
Tell students to add pertinent phrases or passages from the narrative that go well with the pictures. The wording should support the poster's main idea and be easy to read. Students can take inspiration from any other poster they like and try to understand the relationship between the artwork and the text on the poster.
Conclude and Present
After the poster is finished, students can add any last details. Encourage the students to display their posters in the class and discuss the decisions they made regarding the layout, colors, symbols, and themes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Symbolism in The Wedding Dance by Amador Daguio
What role does the wedding dance have in the narrative?
The wedding dance is a representation of customs and cultural expectations. It stands for the pressure put on the couple to follow social customs at all costs, even at the expense of their own pleasure and wishes. In the story, Lumnay feels ashamed to dance in front of other people as she is insecure regarding her inability to give birth.
How does the symbolism used in the story contribute to the overall message of the story?
The symbolism of the narrative highlights the tension that exists between individual aspirations and social norms. It looks at issues like custom, giving, and the intricacies of love. The protagonists struggle with the conflict between their own aspirations and the cultural expectations placed upon them. These internal and external conflicts have been represented with the help of different symbols that showcase the feelings of the characters throughout the story.
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