1. Mean as in "average":
- This is the most common meaning in language arts. It refers to the average value of a set of numbers. For example, you might calculate the mean score on a test.
2. Mean as in "significance":
- This meaning is more common in literary analysis. When discussing a text, "mean" can refer to the overall message, theme, or idea the author is trying to convey.
3. Mean as in "cruel" or "nasty":
- This meaning is less common in language arts, but it can be used to describe characters or events in a story that are unkind or hurtful.
Examples:
* "The mean score on the quiz was 85." (Here, mean refers to the average score.)
* "The author's use of symbolism in the novel conveys a deeper mean about the human condition." (Here, mean refers to the significance or meaning of the symbolism.)
* "The mean stepmother treated Cinderella terribly." (Here, mean refers to the stepmother's cruel nature.)
To understand which meaning of "mean" is intended, you need to consider the context of the sentence or passage.