“Uncovering Hidden Meanings: Exploring Themes and Symbols in Literature
SAT Score Range
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10 sessions
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AA
Sm
LL
+11
About
Every story has layers — beyond the characters and plot are deeper messages about life, society, and human nature. In this session, we’ll explore how authors use symbols (like light, colors, or nature) to express themes such as identity, freedom, and morality.
We’ll practice close reading techniques to identify these patterns, discuss what they represent, and connect them to the story’s larger meaning. Whether you love reading or want to strengthen your literary analysis skills for class, this session will help you see stories in a whole new way ✨
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Shelley P 🇺🇸
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Hi there, my name is Shelley, I joined this platform to grow, expand my knowledge, and help others by offering my tutoring skills.
✋ ATTENDANCE POLICY
If you can’t make it to a session, no worries at all! Just let me know in advance that you won’t be attending. I completely understand that things come up and schedules can get busy, communication is all I ask
SESSION 1
25
Oct
SESSION 1
Other Topics
Other Topics
Sat 11:30 PM - Sun, 12:45 AM UTCOct 25, 11:30 PM - Oct 26, 12:45 AM UTC
Why does Bartleby “prefer not to”? What do Melville’s walls, silence, and loneliness really mean?
In this session, we’ll explore the symbols and themes in Bartleby, the Scrivener to understand how Melville uses simple details to reveal deep ideas about isolation, freedom, and compassion.
We’ll break down key passages, discuss major symbols (like walls and the phrase “I would prefer not to”), and connect them to themes like alienation, morality, and empathy.
No prior literary analysis experience is needed — just curiosity and a love for stories that make you think!
SESSION 2
9
Nov
SESSION 2
Other Topics
Other Topics
Sun 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM UTCNov 9, 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM UTC
What happens when someone we trust leads us into darkness? In this session, we’ll explore Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Young Goodman Brown to uncover how symbols and themes show the struggle between faith, morality, and temptation.
We’ll analyze key symbols — the forest, Faith’s pink ribbons, and the mysterious travelers — and discuss how they reveal deeper truths about human nature and belief.
SESSION 3
23
Nov
SESSION 3
Other Topics
Other Topics
Sun 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM UTCNov 23, 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM UTC
In this session, we’ll dive into “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman , a short story that explores themes of gender roles, mental health, and societal control. Together, we’ll analyze how the narrator’s isolation impacts her mind and how Gilman uses symbolism, setting, and tone to critique patriarchal authority in the 19th century.
SESSION 4
7
Dec
SESSION 4
Poetry
Poetry
Sun 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM UTCDec 7, 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM UTC
In this session, we will explore Emily Dickinson’s haunting poem “I felt a Funeral, in my Brain.” We’ll break down the metaphor of the “funeral,” discuss how Dickinson uses sound imagery to convey mental collapse, and interpret the poem’s final moment of psychological “falling.” Students will practice close reading and learn how to analyze abstract poetry with confidence.
SESSION 5
14
Dec
SESSION 5
Other Topics
Other Topics
Sun 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM UTCDec 14, 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM UTC
This short session dives into Ezra Pound’s two-line imagist masterpiece “In a Station of the Metro.” We will examine Pound’s philosophy of Imagism, how to unpack deep meaning in extremely brief poetry, and what makes this poem revolutionary. Students will practice close reading a poem with only 14 words and learn how images create emotion.
SESSION 6
11
Jan
SESSION 6
Other
Other
Sun 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM UTCJan 11, 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM UTC
In this session, we will analyze Hemingway’s short story “In Another Country” (or **“Soldier’s Home,” instructor’s choice). Students will learn how Hemingway uses sparse language to express trauma, war experiences, and emotional isolation. We'll explore the Iceberg Theory and how unspoken emotions create meaning.
SESSION 7
18
Jan
SESSION 7
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Other Topics
Sun 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM UTCJan 18, 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM UTC
This session focuses on Thomas Wolfe’s vivid story “Only the Dead Know Brooklyn.” Students will analyze the narrator’s strong dialect, the theme of urban mystery, and how place shapes identity. We’ll break down how Wolfe uses voice to create atmosphere and explore the deeper meaning of “knowing” a city.
SESSION 8
15
Feb
SESSION 8
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Other Topics
Sun 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM UTCFeb 15, 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM UTC
In this session we will explore the themes and analysis of "The Necklace," by Guy de Maupassant. Uncovering the deeper meaning behind the text and author's purpose. I'm starting something new so this week we will also explore some underlying philosophical questions that will encourage you to think about some ethical dilemma questions. 🗯️🤔🕰️🚎
Here is the link for the reading to prepare: https://americanliterature.com/author/guy-de-maupassant/short-story/the-necklace/
SESSION 9
22
Feb
SESSION 9
Other Topics
Other Topics
Sun 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM UTCFeb 22, 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM UTC
In this session we will explore the themes, symbols, and analyze a short story called, "MISS BRILL (1920),"
By Katherine Mansfield. The last 30 minutes of this session will be opened so you can share any essays you want me to look over or any writing/ grammatical skills that you may need help understanding. 📖😊
Here is the link to the reading: https://jerrywbrown.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Miss-Brill-Mansfield-Katherine.pdf
SESSION 10
8
Mar
SESSION 10
Other Topics
Other Topics
Sun 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM UTCMar 8, 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM UTC
This session will be an open discussion about any of the readings we have covered so far. This space will be for discussion and any questions of ideas you might have.