White Bird Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

White Bird is filled with themes, symbolism, and motifs, all of which are helpful for students to analyze to gain a deeper understanding of the characters and their journey. Students can explore this by identifying a theme, symbol or motif themselves or, in an “envelope activity” where they are given one or more to track throughout their reading. Then, students will create a storyboard illustrating the examples of that theme from the text.

Examples of Themes in White Bird

• The Holocaust
• Friendship
• Empathy
• Courage
• Bullying
• Family
• Prejudice
• Kindness
• Hope

Examples of Symbols and Motifs in White Bird

• White Bird
• Sarah's Sketchbook
• The Barn
• Milk for the La Fleurs
• The Wolves
• The Mernuit
• The Bluebells
• The school: L'ecole de Lafayette
• Tourteau's name
• Sara's Red Shoes
• The car in the barn

Due Date:

Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes, symbols, or motifs found in White Bird. Illustrate each symbol and write a short description below each cell.

Student Instructions:

1. Click "Start Assignment".
2. Identify the themes, symbols, or motifs from White Bird you wish to include and type them in the title box at the top.
3. Create an image for examples that represent each symbol using appropriate scenes, characters and items.
4. Write a description of each of the examples in the black text box.
5. Save and submit your storyboard.