Ask students to brainstorm how they would portray a statue personifying oppression or a synonym for it such as tyranny or enslavement. Would it be male or female, and why? Would it wear clothing or armor and if so what would it look like? Would it carry a weapon? Would it have a hat or helmet and if so what kind? If you could add three objects grouped around oppresion what would they be and why would you choose them? Where would you place such a statue and why? Take suggestions from the class and try to sketch their suggestions on the board.
Now ask the class to closely look at the symbolism Bartholdi used for liberty. For this activity it is best for students to look at as many close-up shots of the statue as possible. The following Web sites are useful, but photographs in books are even better.