Language Arts
Name:_______________________________ Period:_________
THEME
First, a Definition…
theme (theem): a common thread or repeated idea that is incorporated throughout a
literary work. A theme is a thought or idea the author presents to the reader that may be
deep, difficult to understand, or even moralistic. Generally, a theme has to be extracted as
the reader explores the passages of a work. The author utilizes the characters, plot, and
other literary devices to assist the reader in this endeavor. … In truly great works of
literature, the author intertwines the theme throughout the work and the full impact is
slowly realized as the reader processes the text. The ability to recognize a theme is
important because it allows the reader to understand part of the author’s purpose in
writing the book. See Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry and Drama, NTC’s
Dictionary of Literary Terms, and Literary Terms: A Dictionary. Susan Severson, Student,
University of North Carolina at Pembroke1
It is important to distinguish a theme from a topic. Your group’s project should analyze
theme and dig deeper beneath the surface to find the questions the author raises about the
theme, as well as the message the author might be trying to give the readers about the theme.
For Example…
Consider the theme of oppression in the poem, “First Period” by Kevin Derrig:
It is too broad and basic to simply say that this is a poem about oppression. Try to take the
theme a step further by asking what the poet is telling us about oppression.
Topic:
Questions:
Possible themes:
(Messages)
1
OPPRESSION
How are students oppressed? How does oppression affect students
and society? What can we do about oppression?
Oppression in the classroom causes societal problems outside the
classroom. Teachers can impact students’ lives in both negative and
positive ways. Schools can stifle creativity and destroy students’
motivation and inspiration.
<http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/general/glossary.htm#t>
Directions: Select three theme topics from your discussion preparation worksheet and explore possible questions the author
raises about these themes and possible messages the author was trying to give the readers.
TOPIC
QUESTIONS
THEMES
(MESSAGES)