Theme
What is Theme?
We will use Finding Fish as our guide
What is theme?
• •Theme is the central idea or message in a
literary work. It is not the subject of the work
(students often get the two definitions of theme
confused). It is a perception about human life.
Theme
• Themes are rarely stated directly. They usually
must be inferred.
Inference is the act or process of deriving logical
conclusions from premises known or assumed to
be true. (freedictionary.com/inference)
Theme
• •The theme is revealed by the way characters
change in a story, conflicts in the story, and
statements made by the narrator or characters.
• •Understanding theme involves understanding
plot, characters, and setting.
So, let’s use Finding Fish to get this started.
What was the Plot?
Who were the characters?
What was the setting?
Finding Fish …
• Discuss Plot:
Analyze cause and effect.
Identify the main conflict and minor conflicts
• Analyze Character Motivation:
Note which characters are dynamic and which are
static.
Look for evidence regarding character motives.
Evaluate the characters' personality.
• Visualize Setting:
Evaluate what effect the setting has on the characters
and on the mood of the story.
• Recognize Theme:
Note any sentences or sections that strike your fancy.
Observe how characters change and what they learn.
Look at the title.
Theme
• Write a paragraph discussing and analyzing
theme in Finding Fish. The topic sentence
should be an explicit statement of theme. The
paragraph must include specific details from the
story.