Finding Theme
First Assessment Feedback
Theme Statements: Strong examples
“In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, one theme is how curiosity can
combine with imagination to give children insight into that which they
don’t know.” (Nicely said, David!)
“In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the author introduces how courage
can sometimes be found in the person you least expect as a theme.”
(Bravo, Raelene!)
“In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the author introduces the value of
courage as a theme.” (Well done Raina!)
“In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, one them is the value and
importance of courage.”
Theme statements: needing some work
“In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the author introduces
courage and self persuasion. Even though you get pushed to
the ground you dust off your shoulders and hold your head
high.”
“In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, one of the themes is
courage is a mindset not how physically strong or brave
someone is.”
“In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, one theme is when you use
courage it’s not always something big.”
Some awkward sentences:
“What he is saying is any man can hold a gun and shoot, but only
the truly courageous can die knowing they have nothing or
stick to what you believe in.”
“Bravery, again it do go with what you believe, or to just stand
up for yourself and go for it.”
“In chapter nine, Atticus describes to Scout that if he doesn’t
defend this black man, he couldn’t live with himself, and to
say this, Scout asked the question, “You mean if you didn’t
defend that man, Jem and me wouldn’t have to mind you
anymore?”
A common problem…
“Atticus shoots the dog right between the eyes, and to me that is
courage in away because you are saving not just you’re life but
your friends and family to, and that is what Atticus did he saved his
familys life and all his friends.”
“This part of the book is where Scout and Jem get to witness their
father be a true hero when it comes to the matter of life and
death. Atticus mustered up the courage to do something he hadn’t
done in years in order to protect the ones he loves.”
“As Mr. Tate handed him the rifle, it doesn’t take long for Atticus to
kill Tim Johnson, the rabid dog, showing not only bravery but
courage, doing what he thought was right and saving/helping
many people in Maycomb County.”
Remember what Atticus said in Chapter 11,
and the crucially important message the
author is trying to impart to the reader:
“[Mrs. Dubose] had her own views about things, a lot different from
mine, maybe…Son, I told you if you wouldn’t have lost your head
I’d have you go read to her. I wanted you to see something about
her—I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting
the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you
know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see
it through no matter what.You rarely win, but sometimes you do.
Mrs. Dubose won, all 98 pounds of her. According to her views,
she died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest
person I ever knew.”
Reminders:
 Cite the page number correctly!
Example: In chapter nine, Atticus explains courage to Scout
by saying that it is “when you know you’re licked before you
begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter
what” (p. 112).
 DO NOT USE “YOU,” “YOUR,” “I,” “ME,” “MINE,” ETC.
 Analyze and explain how your chosen quotes demonstrate
how your chosen theme is present in the book—don’t just
summarize events!
 Make sure that the quotes you choose actually demonstrate
the theme, and aren’t just helping you to summarize what
happened!
Most important reminder: textual evidence
paragraph organization!
If this is your theme statement, what evidence might you use to prove it?
Theme: “In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, one theme is the value of
courage when it is shown in individuals fighting battles they know they
might lose.”
At the end of chapter 11, when Atticus and Jem are speaking about
the recent death of Mrs. Dubose, Atticus understands that Jem
perhaps had the idea that courage was when his father shot a dog,
but wishes to set him straight. Atticus explains to his son that real
courage is “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin
anyway” (p. 112). When Atticus defines courage for Jem, it is also the author
defining courage for her reader. This interaction between father and son
perfectly expresses her theme of real courage.
At the end of chapter 11, when Atticus and Jem are speaking about the
recent death of Mrs. Dubose, Atticus understands that Jem perhaps had the
idea that courage was when his father shot a dog, but wishes to set him
straight. Atticus explains to his son that real courage is “when you know you’re licked
before you begin but you begin anyway” (p. 112). When Atticus defines courage
for Jem, it is also the author defining courage for her reader. This
interaction between father and son perfectly expresses her theme of real
courage, for she provides a clear explanation of courage, and a clear
example of courage in Mrs. Dubose.
1. Provide a little background, set the scene for where this quote comes
from in the book
2. Smoothly integrate the quote into your own sentence—don’t just plop it
in there!
3. Cite the page number
4. Explain how this quote demonstrates how your chosen theme is present in
the book. Make the link clear between the quote and your theme.
After the author provides her definition of courage, and
helps her reader to understand how it is valued in the world
of this book, the reader is able to make the connection to
another example of courage that fits this definition. After
Atticus tells his son what real courage is, the reader cannot
help but think of what Atticus himself has done that is also
courageous. In a conversation with his brother Jack, Atticus
admits that he “will lose the case….” (p. ___). Just as with
Mrs. Dubose, Atticus is beginning something he knows he
will lose, but he begins anyway and is determined to see it
through. Atticus is the moral heart and soul of this book, and
it ….