Symbols and Motifs in The Poet X

Novels and poetry often have a variety of symbols and motifs throughout that students can identify and analyze. Symbolism is when an object or situation is more than it appears on the surface. The author is using it to represent something deeper and more meaningful. Motifs are a technique employed by the author whereby they repeat a certain element more than once throughout the course of the story. This element has symbolic significance and is meant to draw the reader's attention and illuminate a deeper meaning to the story as it is repeated. Any literary elements can be conveyed through characters, setting, dialogue, plot, or a combination.

In this activity, students will identify symbols and motifs in The Poet X and illustrate examples from the text. Students can explore by identifying these elements themselves or in an “envelope activity”, where they are given one or more element to track throughout their reading. Then, they'll create a spider map illustrating what they found! Teachers may ask students to illustrate multiple examples of a single theme, symbol, or motif, or illustrate one example for each.

Examples of The Poet X Symbols and Motifs

• Xiomara's poetry notebook
• Mami's scarred knuckles
• Xiomara's baby bracelet
• Apples
• Music
• The smoke park
• The subway
• The poet's cafe

Due Date:

Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring symbols, or motifs found in the story. Illustrate each and write a short description below each cell.

Student Instructions:

1. Identify the symbols or motifs from the story that you wish to include and type them in the title box at the top.
2. Create an image for examples that represent each symbol using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
3. Write a description of each of the examples in the text box.