Skip to Main Content

Laurinda- Learning Support: Symbols

Year 8 English

Symbols in Literature

In stories, a symbol is something that stands for a bigger idea or meaning. It could be an object, a character, or even something that happens in the story.

Key Points:

  • Represents More Than Itself: A symbol means more than what it actually is. For example, a heart can stand for love, or a storm can mean trouble or conflict.
  • Supports Themes: Symbols help show the important ideas or messages in the story. In The Great Gatsby, the green light symbolizes Gatsby's dreams and hopes.
  • Different Forms: Symbols can be things (like a flower for beauty), people (like a hero for bravery), or actions (like a journey for growth or change).

 

Symbols make stories more interesting by giving them deeper meanings.

Photograph- Mr Sinclair

In Laurinda, the photograph of Mr. Sinclair, the former principal, symbolizes the old values and traditions of Laurinda Ladies' College. It shows the school’s past, which was full of strict rules, privilege, and a focus on being better than others.

The photo is displayed in the school as a reminder of the power the school has always had over its students. Even though Mr. Sinclair is no longer the principal, the school still follows the values he set, like exclusivity and tradition. For Lucy, who is a scholarship student, the photo also represents the challenges she faces in trying to fit into this world of privilege.

Key Points:

  1. Old Values and Traditions: The photograph reminds everyone of the old-fashioned values at Laurinda, like strict social rules and the idea that some students are more important than others. Even though Mr. Sinclair isn’t there anymore, the school still holds onto these traditions.

  2. Authority and Control: The photo shows the power Mr. Sinclair had, and how the school still uses these old rules to control students. It represents how the school’s leadership keeps things the way they’ve always been.

  3. Obstacles for Lucy: For Lucy, the photograph shows the challenges she faces as a scholarship student in a world of rich and powerful people. It’s a reminder that the school’s old ways still affect her and make it hard for her to fit in.

  4. Enduring Elitism: The photo also represents how the school still values being exclusive and elitist, even though things have changed in some ways. It shows that the school’s traditions continue to shape the experiences of students, especially those who don’t come from wealthy backgrounds like Lucy.

Overall, the photograph stands for the school’s unchanging history of privilege and the lasting influence of the past on Lucy’s life at Laurinda.

Organza Sweets Bag

In Laurinda, the organza sweet bags at Amber's party represent the fake, showy side of the rich and powerful people at Laurinda. These bags, fancy and delicate, look beautiful but are all about appearances, not real value.

Key Points:

  1. Privilege and Wealth: The organza sweet bags show how wealthy and fancy Amber and her friends are. These bags are not ordinary but are decorated and extravagant, showing the big gap between Lucy’s humble background and the rich world of Laurinda.

  2. Superficiality and Facade: The bags look nice on the outside but are not real or meaningful inside. They represent how the Laurinda girls, especially the Cabinet, care more about looking good than having real friendships or values. They create a perfect, but fake, image of themselves.

  3. Performance of Generosity: The bags also show how the acts of kindness at Laurinda are often just for show. Amber’s party and the sweet bags seem generous, but they are really about showing off wealth and status, not about being truly kind or caring.

Overall, the organza sweet bags represent the fake, materialistic world at Laurinda and the difference between the real values Lucy holds and the showy, image-focused world she’s trying to fit into.