To discover the theme of a poem, study the following items:
1. The beginning and the ending
2. Figurative language
3. Repeated images
Write the theme on your paper.
A Minor Bird
I have wished a bird would fly away,
And not sing by my house all day;
Have clapped my hands at him from the door
When it seemed as if I could bear no more.
The fault must partly have been in me.
The bird was not to blame for his key.
And of course there must be something wrong
In wanting to silence any song.
Robert Frost
To discover the theme of a poem, study the following items:
4. The beginning and the ending
5. Figurative language (personification is a part of figurative language)
6. Repeated images
Write the theme of the poem on your paper.
April Rain Song
Let the rain kiss you
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops
Let the rain sing you a lullaby
The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk
The rain makes running pools in the gutter
The rain plays a little sleep song on our roof at night
And I love the rain.
Langston Hughes
To discover the theme of a poem, study the following items:
1. The beginning and the ending
2. Figurative language
3. Repeated images
Write the theme of the poem on your paper.
I’m Nobody! Who are You?
I'm nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there's a pair of us -don't tell!
They'd banish us, you know.
How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!
Emily Dickinson
Theme
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” describes how the Grinch despises the holiday
season. His heart is "two sizes too small" and he concocts an elaborate plan to dress up
as Santa Claus so he can steal presents, food, and decorations from the residents of
Whoville. He is jealous of their happiness during the holidays, but his plan backfires
when he finds the Whoville residents still singing joyfully on Christmas morning. He
returns their belongings and is invited to celebrate the holiday with them.
What is the topic of this story? What is the author saying about this topic? This is a
possible theme. Write it on your paper.
“A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens
The main character, a rich man named Ebenezer Scrooge refuses to share any of his
money with the poor. One Christmas Eve, three different ghosts visit him. The Ghosts
of Christmas Past and Present show him visions of his past Christmas’s where he
chose money over relationships. The Ghost of Christmas Future shows him his own
grave and how no one cares whether he lived or died. After these visions, Scrooge
decides to change his ways. He does this by buying a goose for the family of his
employee, the Cratchets, and by attending Christmas dinner at his nephew’s home.
What is the topic of this story? What is the author saying about this topic? This is a
possible theme. Write it on your paper.
Characterization
Make an inference (draw a conclusion) based on the evidence about Ed Johnson’s
personality. Write your description of this character’s personality on your paper.
“That Ed Johnson,” said Anderson, watching the old mechanic scratch his head in
confusion as the sales rep explained Dralco’s newest engine performance diagnostic
computer. “He hasn’t got a clue about modern electronics. Give him a good set of tools
and a stack of yellowing manuals with a carburetor needing repair, and he’d be happy
as a hungry frog in a fly-field.”
Make an inference based on the evidence about Julie’s personality. Write your
description of this character’s personality on your paper.
Julie held up six different outfits in front of the mirror and pondered which would go best
with her navy blue shoes, pastel eye shadow and the diamond earrings she’d already
procured from her overflowing vanity. After ninety minutes of mixing and matching, and
cell-phoning her sister three times for advice, Julie finally made up her mind. She’d give
the navy blue skirt and white sweater a try, hoping Trent would love it.