+ Unit 4
Literary Focus:
Theme
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What is theme?
 Theme
is the general idea or insight about life
that a work of literature reveals.


Theme is a “special message” that a reader takes away
from a story.
Usually no two readers state a theme in exactly the same
way. In fact, readers may even differ on what they see as
the story’s theme.
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Theme is not….
 It

is NOT the same as a subject.
The subject of a work can be expressed in a word or two:
love, childhood, death
 The
theme is an idea or message that the writer
wishes to convey about that subject or life.
 Example: “Good will triumph over evil.”
http://www.tollbooth.org/2003/movies/spiderman.jpg
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Theme is not…
 It

is NOT the same as a summary.
A summary is what happens in the story.
 A recap of events
 Again, the
theme is an idea or message that the
writer wishes to convey about that subject or life.
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Determining A Story’s Theme
 Themes

are usually not stated directly.
Most times the reader has to think about all the elements of
the work and use them to make an inference.
• Review: What is an inference?
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Consider the following elements of a
story to identify the story’s theme:

The title
 Sometimes writers use titles to hint a story’s theme.

The characters
 Changes occurred
 Discovery

The “big” moments
 Most important scenes/passages
 Revelations about life

The resolution
 The way conflicts are settled
 The way you feel about the outcome
+ WARM UP (as you come in) - Let’s
apply our understanding of
theme…
 Consider
the following themes:
 Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.
 The
good can triumph over evil.
 Application:
Think of novels, stories, and/or poems you have
read. Also, think of movies, plays, and TV shows you
have seen. Brainstorm a list of titles that reflect those
two themes.
Write this down in your notebook!
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Aesop’s Fables
 What


Short stories which illustrate a particular moral and teach a
lesson.
Fables can often pass into our culture as myths and
legends.
 The

are fables?
characters of fables?
Usually animals who act and talk just like people while still
retaining animal traits.
 Aesop’s



Fables
Originated in Ancient Greece.
Famous fables that provide entertainment.
Feature familiar animals loved by children.
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
Somebody, Wanted, But, So
A summary explains what happens in a story. A theme is the
moral or message that is revealed within the story. Often times
when you break down a fable using the Somebody,Wanted, But, So
outline, you are able to better identify the intended theme.
__________________somebody (the main character) wanted _________________,
but (problem) _______________________________________________________.
So (solution) _____________________________.
SOMEBODY
WANTED
BUT
SO
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Application
Let’s Practice…
The Bear & His Figs
A hungry bear put his paw into a pitcher
full of figs. He grasped as many as he could
possibly hold, but when he tried to pull out
his paw, he was prevented from doing so by
the neck of the pitcher. Unwilling to lose his
figs, and yet unable to withdraw his paw, he
burst into tears and roars of rage. A bird
flew by and landed beside him. The bird
said “be satisfied with half the quantity, and
you will readily draw out your hand.”
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In your small groups…
 Examine, analyze
and discuss the Aesop Fables.
 Identify key words that helped you determine a
theme.
 Complete the Somebody, Wanted, But, So outline
on your worksheet
 Look for commonalities among the 3 Aesop
Fables.
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Application: Plan & construct your own
 Now
it’s your turn!
Your job is to create your own Aesop Fable
using the common characteristics we
discussed earlier.
-Who are the main characters?
(animals)
-What is your purpose? Moral? Lesson?
Be creative! Have fun with it!
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“Camp Harmony”: Generalizations
Reading Skill: Making Generalizations:
Putting it all together

Generalization: broad statement based on several particular
situations.

When you make a generalization you combine new evidence in
a text with what you already know.

“Camp Harmony”: After reading about Monica Sone’s
experiences, you might make a generalization about the
treatment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
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