Theme
Theme
What the story is about; what lesson we
are supposed to learn from it.
Theme is…
o
A message, main idea, or lesson,
about life, people, or human nature.
o
Not always clearly stated. You must
have INSIGHT!
Theme is NOT…
o
o
o
The purpose of a work.
(why it was written)
The subject of a work.
(what it is about)
The conflict in a work.
(the problem)
Theme
o The more you read, the more you will
notice that some themes are used
again and again.
o When a theme is common to all
cultures, we say that it is
UNIVERSAL
Examples of Common Themes
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Good vs. Evil
Love
Maturing & Growing Up
The importance of Friendship
Be happy with what you have
Facing Fears
Success & Failure
Good vs. Evil
o
The Lord of the Rings
Love
o
Romeo and Juliet
Growing Up
o
The Karate Kid
Friendship
o
Blood In Blood Out
Four ways an author can express
themes
o
1. Thoughts & Feelings
o By sharing the thoughts & feelings
of the main character.
Four ways an author can express
themes
o
2. Conversations.
o Authors put words in their
character’s mouths for good reasons.
o Look for ideas that are repeated
throughout the story.
Four ways an author can express
themes
o
3. Characters
o The main character usually shows
the most important theme of the
story.
o Ask yourself the question, what
does the main character learn in
the course of the story?
Four ways an author can express
themes
o
4. Actions or events
o People express ideas and feelings
through their actions.
o How will the action express an idea
or theme?
o How was the conflict resolved?
Not sure if you have the
correct theme?
o
Ask yourself these questions:
o Is the theme supported by
concrete details from the work
itself?
o Are all the author’s choices of plot,
character, and conflict, controlled
by this theme?
2 Ways to Express Theme
o
o
Theme can be expressed in a single
word or phrase – love, greed,
friendship, the importance of family
Theme can also by expressed in a
more specific complete sentence – If
you lie to your friends you will lose
their trust.
2 Ways to Express Theme
o
Ask yourself “What is the main idea
of the theme?”
o
Then ask yourself, “What lesson
about this theme did the character
learn?”
Stop for…
o
“The Marble
Champ” by Gary
Soto
Possible Themes…
o
o
o
o
Family
Determination
Goal setting
Make your
dreams come
true
o
o
Which one seems
to fit the best?
Why?
What lesson did
the main character
learn about this
theme?
Response to Literature
o
o
o
Identify the theme of this story.
Provide concrete details from the
story that support this theme.
Provide commentary to explain your
choice of theme.
Stop for…
o
“The Gift” by
Michele Serros
Possible Themes…
o
o
o
o
Family
Determination
Goal setting
Make your
dreams come
true
o
o
o
Which one seems to
fit the best? Why?
Did any of the main
characters learn a
lesson about this
theme?
Did the reader?
Response to Literature
o
o
Compare and
Contrast the two
stories.
Identify the
recurring theme in
the two works.