This is a PowerPoint designed for use with Stephen King's, "The Body," but it could be used with any unit discussing dreams or symbols. The PowerPoint goes through a walk in the woods asking students questions about what they see. Later they learn each of these things symbolizes something else. After discussing if they agree or disagree with this analysis there is a writing prompt. Using what they know from, "The Body," they need to write what one of the characters would have said about his journey through the woods. You can see the full lesson here: http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2014/02/my-class-we-are-reading-stephen-kings.html

1. A walk in the woods
What do things really mean?

2. 1. You are walking in the woods.
Who are you walking with?

3. 2. Describe the woods and the path you follow.

4. 3. You see an animal. What kind of
animal is it?

5. 4. What interaction takes place between
you and the animal?

6. 5. You walk further and see a cup on the
ground. Notice the cup. What do you do
with it?

7. 6. After the cup you run into some water.
What is it?

8. 7. How will you cross the
water?

9. 8. You walk deeper in the woods. The trees
are finally disappearing. You finally see
something….anything
What do you see?

10. So you have answers for all of these
questions?
•
•
•
•
•
1. You are walking in the woods. Who are you walking with?
2. Describe the woods and the path you follow.
3. You see an animal. What kind of animal is it?
4. What interaction takes place between you and the animal?
5. You walk further and see a cup on the ground. Notice the cup. What do
you do with it?
• 6. In order to get to your house there’s a body of water. What is it?
• 7. How will you cross the water?
• 8. You are leaving the woods. There are no more trees. What do you see?

11. 1. Who do you think the person
represents?
They say that the person you chose to walk
with is someone important to you.
Why do you think that is?
Do you agree?

12. 2. What about the woods? What are
they?
The woods represent your brain and
conscious self. If you were
overwhelmed by trees and had an
unclear path your subconcious is
often overwhelmed.
If you have a clear path with few
trees, your brain is fairly organized
and knows how to handle situations.

13. 3. You see an animal. What kind of
animal is it?
The animal is normally linked to
your problems. If you see a large
and scary animal then your
problems are often large and
intimidating to you.
On the other hand, smaller
animals are more likely to mean
that you don’t get very stressed by
your problems.

14. 4. What interaction takes place between
you and the animal?
Since the animal represents your
problems, how you react to your
animal signifies how you react to your
problems.
Do you confront them, make a joke
out of them, try to befriend them, run
away from them, or ignore them?

15. 5. You walk further and see a cup on the
ground. Notice the cup. What do you do
with it?
The cup represents your spirituality.
If it is durable it is (metal, ceramic, wood) it means
your spirituality is important to you and is very strong.
If it is weak (class, plastic, paper) your spirituality isn’t
that important to you.
What you do with the cup suggests what you will do with your
spirituality (use it, leave it, take it with you).

16. 6. After the cup you run into some water.
What is it?
The wáter represents your desire for
love. If there is a lot of water (like an
ocean) you have a huge desire for
love.
However, the speed is something to
take into account too! If the water is
still (like a pond) your desire is not
urgent. Compared to river rapids.

17. 7. How will you cross the water?
Since the water is your desire for love, how you cross it is what
you are willing to do for love.
If you make a boat, or an airplane, then you don’t want to get
wet. Basically, even if you have an ocean, you aren’t willing (or
ready) to put yourself out there for love.

18. 8. What’s after the woods?
Do you see your Friends? Family? A Party? A house?
This is your future and ambition. It is what is the most
important to you.

19. Things to remember
• Use your brain!
• Seeing a cliff after the Woods doesn’t mean you are going to die!
• It could mean:
• You crave a giant change
• You want to know the unknown
• You want adventure
• You want to go bungee jumping!

20. What do you think?
Is this test true?
Do the interpretations make sense?
Is this the same as figuring out what I dream
meant?

21. WRITING
• Imagine you are a character from, “The Body.” Write down their
version of the walk through the woods using what you know about
them and the symbols. BE SURE TO EXPLAIN WHY!
• Example: Teddy is walking in the woods with his father because even
though his father is suffering through mental issues Teddy still loves
him more tan anyone else.
• Your work will be graded on logic, evidence, and grammar.