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The central idea or message of a text View about life and how people behave

Understanding the central ideas and messages in literary works, and how they are expressed through characters' actions, feelings, learning, and thoughts.

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The central idea or message of a text View about life and how people behave

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  1. What is Theme? • The central idea or message of a text • View about life and how people behave • Broad idea/message about life, society, or human nature • Usually implied (not explicitly stated) • Explores timeless and universal ideas • Differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in that it is a statement • Subject = topic • Example: Racism • Theme = statement/opinion about that topic • Example: Racism is immoral.

  2. An author expresses Theme through… • Character’s Actions • Characters’ feelings • What the character(s) learn • Thoughts and conversation

  3. 1. Characters’ actions • Ideas and feelings are naturally expressed through actions • What does an action "say“? • How does the action express an idea or theme?

  4. 2. Characters’ Feelings • Emotions can be stated or implied • How does the character feel? • How does the character make us feel? • What ideas do these feelings or emotions reflect?

  5. 3. What the character learns • Main character usually illustrates the most important theme of the story • What does the main character learn in the course of the story? • What new knowledge or insight is gained?

  6. 4. Thoughts and Conversation • Authors put words in their character’s mouths only for good reasons. • The things a person says are frequently on their mind. • Look for thoughts that are repeated throughout the story.

  7. ***Theme Statements*** • The theme of a work of literature is alwaysa statement… NOT just a word. • What statement does the author seem to be making about people, society, government, life, etc.? • Never a question “Is love the most important thing in life?” ^ NOT A THEME ^ “Love is the most important thing in life.” ^ A THEME! ^

  8. Proving the Theme Statement • Here is where plot comes in • What examples from the story prove the theme statement? • Use specific references and quotes from the text that prove your statement is true. Example: Romeo and Juliet • Theme Statement: Long term unresolved conflict between families leads to disaster. • Proof: • The street fight between in the first scene causes a riot and destruction of property. • The fight between Mercutio and Tybalt leads to their deaths. • Romeo’s banishment for killing Tybalt leads to two suicides, a murder and heart attack.

  9. Theme Statement? Yes or No • You should resolve all conflicts. • Great sacrifices are made in the name of love. • Romeo killed Tybalt in revenge for Mercutio’s death. • Poor decisions are often made impulsively. • Blind loyalty causes foolish behavior.

  10. EXIT SLIP • What is one recurring theme you see in chapter 1-5 of Huck Finn? • Remember, this should be a STATEMENT… not just one word!

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