Identifying Symbolism in Ghost Storyboard
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Ghost by Jason Reynolds
By Liane Hicks
Ghost by Jason Reynolds is a fictional novel set in a modern day city and follows the life of 7th grader, Castle “Ghost” Cranshaw as he struggles to overcome a difficult childhood and find a new direction in life with the help of his mentor, Coach Brody.
Storyboard Description
There are many instances of symbolism in the book Ghost by Jason Reynolds where the meaning of things go far deeper than what might appear on the surface. Here are four examples of symbolism used by the author.
Storyboard Text
- SNEAKERS
- SUNFLOWER SEEDS
- Castle's first pair is shabby and he feels they are holding him back. When he cuts them, he endures humiliation, and steals the silver bullets. Their nickname parallels his father's attempted shooting. Castle’s shoplifting gets him in trouble, but also leads to a revelation that turns his life around.
- The sunflower seeds symbolize Ghost's friendship with Mr. Charles, the shopkeeper who hid Ghost and his mom. He has always believed in Castle and encourages him. The ritual of buying and eating them grounds and calms Castle. They also symbolize Castle's dad, who ate them often.
- GUNSHOT
- SYMBOLISM IN GHOST
- CASTLE'S ROOM
- The sound of the gunshot is seared into Castle's memory. He says, "that was the night I learned how to run." Castle discovers that a gunshot is how they start track races. But this sound now symbolizes more than running away, it is running towards something positive.
- Castle's room symbolizes the night his father tried to shoot him and his mother. Castle hasn't been able to sleep in his room since that night. The last he heard were gunshots as he and his mother ran out the door. When he enters, he is transported back to the trauma.
- Image Attributions:5730747 (https://pixabay.com/photos/player-jersey-nba-basketball-5730747/) - albertoadan - License: Free for Most Commercial Use / No Attribution Required / See https://pixabay.com/service/license/ for what is not allowed
Image Attributions
- 5730747 - albertoadan - (License Free for Most Commercial Use / No Attribution Required / See https://pixabay.com/service/license/ for what is not allowed )
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