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Identifying Theme

Identifying Theme. Insight into Human Nature. They decide their observations are worth sharing (exploring, revealing, illuminating). An actual novelist even says so!.

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Identifying Theme

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  1. Identifying Theme

  2. Insight into Human Nature

  3. They decide their observations are worth sharing (exploring, revealing, illuminating).

  4. An actual novelist even says so! • It is the function of the novelist to tell timeless and universal truths through the device of a fashioned narrative. A story's significance as a piece of art cannot be divorced from its message, . . . . In my writing and in my life I have pursued a vision not only to inspire my readers but also to share my dream of what we can aspire to build here in our world. • Mario Vargas Llosa, Nobel Prize-winning author

  5. Experience • People (characters) experience obstacles, conflicts, successes, failures, accomplishments of many varieties.

  6. Effects • These experiences lead or cause the characters to respond or react in certain ways.

  7. outcome • The character(s) achieve or fail to achieve their goals. There are consequences. There is growth or lack of it. Death or other changes occur.

  8. Insight into human nature (theme!) • The experiences, effects and outcomes for the characters become a message from the author to us, the readers.

  9. A theme is notsimply a subject • NOT A THEME: • The theme of The Great Gatsby is the death of the American Dream. • This statement identifies a general subject of the story, not a theme.

  10. It is not the plot of a story • NOT a theme: • In The Great Gatsby a member of the newly wealthy class struggles unsuccessfully to achieve status. • This is a plot summary. It gives us a brief summary of the events of the story. It is not a theme.

  11. and it is not a moral or a command • NOT a Theme: • In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald shows us that the powerful should have more concern for the unfortunate. • This is a moral, which treats the story like a lesson The word “should” is a good indication that your statement is a moral, not a theme.

  12. Theme: the author’s point about a topic • YES, a theme statement: • In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald suggests that the careless disregard shown by the wealthy leads to moral corruption.

  13. Theme written as a thesis (TPR) • In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald suggests through the symbolism of Gatsby’s yellow car that the careless disregard shown by the wealthy leads to moral corruption and destroys dreams.

  14. Tips for discovering Theme • 1. Find at least 3 examples of topic (at least one in beginning, middle and end of work). • 2. Trace the development of what happens to people who deal with the topic. How do people (esp. main characters) change? What things change? How? • 3. Look at outcomes, esp. for main characters. How do these people end up at conclusion of the work? Connect their outcomes to the theme topic. • 4. Use words that deal with results, like "causes", "results in", "contributes to", "brings about", etc.

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