ya
Wh
e
re w
hi
gt
din
rea
s?
Exploring
Theme
the big
What’s
at
co
ul
d
it
Seeing meaning
beyond the text
me
an
?
hy
W
tw
i
is
en
tt
ri
ke
li
t
s im
port
ant?
idea?
How
Wh
Why
is th
i
mig
ht th
is re
late
t
o me
?
?
t
ha
(Springboard Level 4, 3.10, 220-221)
Connotation
and
Denotation
Words can have many meanings - even in a dictionary,
you’ll find that words you may already know have
additional definitions!
Denotation is the literal or
primary definition or
meaning of a word or phrase.
Connotation is the idea or
feeling that a word invokes
in addition to its literal or
primary definition.
Some meanings, though, you won’t find in a
dictionary. More than just slang, innuendo, and
jargon, connotative meaning - or connotation gives meaning beyond a literal understanding of
what is written or said.
What
it’s
all
about
A topic or subject is the matter
or issue that is dealt with or
addressed in a text or dialogue.
Topics and themes are different from one
another. For example, possible topics for The Scarlet
Letter might include “sin” and “peer judgement,” but
these are only part of what is considered a theme.
A theme must include general ideas about the
topic as it relates to reality - not specific to the
text. So, themes of The Scarlet Letter might be,
“sin can create a heavy burden,” or “peers are
often harsh judges of one’s character.”
› A theme is what a writer could be trying to say about
a topic. Theme is an author’s central idea or main message about life. Explicit themes
are clearly stated by the author within a text, while implied themes are
understood through the writer’s diction, language construction, and use of
literary devices.
What’s
a
theme?
NOT A THEME
› A command or definition
›
It doesn’t tell us how to behave by
using words like “should,” and it does
not simply define a word.
› A common saying, cliche, or moral
›
It isn’t a cliche like “actions speak
louder than words” or a moral like “slow
and steady wins the race.”
› Specific to the text
›
It does not refer to the specific
characters or places in the text.
› Absolute
›
Does not use absolute language like
“all,” “none,” “everything,” or “always,”
because these statements are rarely true
and are usually impossible to prove.
THEME
› An observation
›
It makes a comment about the way things
appear to be in reality.
› Original and thoughtful
›
It should be something you find interesting,
philosophical, and whose wording you have
come up with yourself.
› General, about reality
›
It translates characters and plots into
generalizations, such as “people,” “parents,”
or “raising a child.”
› Reasonable
›
It uses terms like “sometimes” or “often,” or
refers to limited circumstances, to suggest
a more realistic view of life.
What’s
a
theme?
THEME
How do you write a THEMATIC STATEMENT?
It’s pretty easy!
● Start with a TOPIC: HAPPINESS
FAITH
● What could the author be trying to say about it?
It makes a comment about the way things
appear to be in reality.
“People will often defend their faith
“Personal
growth and satisfaction can
when challenged.“
be instrumental to a person’s
happiness.“
It should be something you find interesting,
philosophical, and whose wording you have
come up with yourself.
“People often reveal their character
“Abased
person’s
true nature
is often
on where
they place
their
reflected
by
what
brings
them
faith.”
happiness.”
It translates characters and plots into
generalizations, such as “people,” “parents,”
or “raising a child.”
“Faith can help people to become
“Happiness
can bring people
closer.”
together.”
› An observation
›
› Original and thoughtful
›
› General, about reality
›
› Reasonable
›
It uses terms like “sometimes” or “often,” or
refers to limited circumstances, to suggest
a more realistic view of life.
“Faith can help sustain a person in the
“Happiness
comes from
most tryingsometimes
times.”
the most unexpected places.”
Poet: Audre
Lorde
Audre Lorde (1934-1992) attended Hunter College and Columbia University and was a librarian in New York
before publishing her first volume of poetry. She went on to become a leading African-American poet and
essayist who gave voice to issues of race, gender and sexuality.
Her second volume of poetry entitled Cables to Rage (1970), which took on themes of love, deceit and family,
and which also addressed her own sexuality in the poem, "Martha."
She would later teach at John Jay College and Hunter College in New York.
“Audre Lorde.” Biography.com, A&E
Networks Television, 16
Apr.
2019
York
In From a Land Where Other People Live (1973), she explored issues of identity and global issues. New
Head Shop and Museum (1975) was even more overtly political. In The Black Unicorn (1978), considered one of
her greatest works, Lorde explored her African heritage. Throughout her poetry and other writings, she tackled
topics important to her as a woman of color, a lesbian, a mother and a feminist.
In terms of her nonfiction work, she is best remembered for The Cancer Journals (1980), in which she
documents her struggle with breast cancer. Lorde refused to be victimized; instead, she considered herself and
women like her to be warriors. Audre Lorde battled cancer for more than a decade, and in her last years, she
took an African name, Gamba Adisa, meaning "she who makes her meaning clear."
Lorde, Audre. Sister Outsider: Essays
and Speeches. Crossing
Press, 2007.
“Hanging Fire”
I am fourteen
and my skin has betrayed me
the boy I cannot live without
still sucks his thumb
in secret
how come my knees are
always so ashy
what if I die
before the morning comes
and momma’s in the bedroom
with the door closed.
I have to learn how to dance
in time for the next party
my room is too small for me
suppose I die before graduation
they will sing sad melodies
but finally
tell the truth about me
There is nothing I want to do
and too much
that has to be done
and momma’s in the bedroom
with the door closed.
Nobody ever stops to think
about my side of it
I should have been on Math Team
my marks were better than his
why do I have to be
the one
wearing braces
I have nothing to wear tomorrow
will I live long enough
to grow up
and momma’s in the bedroom
with the door closed.
- Audre Lorde (1997)
Write a thematic statement:
● THINK: What is “Hanging Fire” about? (topics)
● STATE: What is Audre Lorde trying to say about _____________________?
Audio