Symbol is an element of poetry that writers use to express their ideas. A symbol is something that represents something other than itself, such as a dove as a symbol for peace.

The same symbol can be used across history. In the two poems “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “The Flag We Love,” the flag is a symbol. What is it a symbol of? Even though these poems were written over a hundred years apart, both use the flag to convey a universal theme, or message.

A flag represents many things to the people of its country.

Practice Together

Compare Poems Reread “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “The Flag We Love.” One way to identify the meaning of the symbol is to look at the writer’s word choice and descriptive language. Notice how both writers use words that appeal to your senses. For example, in “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the speaker describes the scene as “by the dawn’s early light.” You can picture when the scene takes place—early in the morning.

Make a Venn Diagram like this one and list a word or phrase in each poem that stands out to you. Compare the words and phrases used in both poems. Do they tell you what the flag symbolizes?

Try It!

Work with a partner to come up with at least two more descriptive words or phrases from each poem. Write them on your diagram. Discuss how the poems are different and how they are alike. Decide what you think the flag symbolizes, and share your ideas with the class. What message, or theme, is the writer trying to convey?

Venn Diagram