Name:
Class Period:
UNIVERSAL THEME CER FOR “The Journey”- 20 points
During this unit, we have discussed universal theme. A universal theme is a
message/lesson that can be taken from the text and it relates to everyone; it
is not story-specific. The reader analyzes character actions and events in the
story to determine a universal theme.
For “The Journey,” the reader can look at Clyde’s actions, his father’s
concern for him, and events in the story to determine the following
universal themes:
1. Being too trusting can sometimes place you in a dangerous situation.
2. Take advice from/listen to those who are older and possibly wiser
because of life experience.
3. It is often necessary to remain calm in stressful and unexpected
situations.
Choose ONE of the three themes above. For the one you choose, cite at
least two pieces of evidence from “The Journey” that support the theme.
For each piece of evidence, thoroughly explain how the evidence develops
the theme. Use the space below to construct your answer.
(C) In “The Journey,” there are many different universal themes. One
universal theme is _________________________________________________
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(E) In the story, ____________________________________________________
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(R) This evidence supports/develops the theme
by________________________________________________________________
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(E) The theme is also supported/developed in the story
when_____________________________________________________________
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(R) This part of the story supports/develops the theme because__________
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