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Process for Finding and Writing a Correct Statement of the Theme of a Short Story

Process for Finding and Writing a Correct Statement of the Theme of a Short Story. -Peggy Gregory, LA Specialist. Definition of Theme.

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Process for Finding and Writing a Correct Statement of the Theme of a Short Story

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  1. Process for Finding and Writing a Correct Statement of the Theme of a Short Story -Peggy Gregory, LA Specialist

  2. Definition of Theme Theme: defined as the unifying vision of the writer – it is the underlying message of a work, which is not specific to the work itself but instead is a universal truth. To make it a bit simpler – State a theme this way – abstraction + universal message Example:Love is blind ( story reference +  you + complete sentence) Let’s break in down. What does abstraction mean?

  3. Abstraction Definition of abstraction: a thought, feeling, emotion, idea or belief (all things of the mind, not things of the physical world!) Examples of Abstractions: Thought – maturity Feeling – envy All Abstractions! Emotion – love Idea – freedom Abstractions differ from physical, concrete things, for abstractions do not appeal to the five senses.

  4. Concrete Definition of Concrete: things can be quantified (measured); can often be perceived through the senses Example: Desk - you can see it, measure it, touch it, smell it – YUK!, hear it (if you bang on it).

  5. Picture the difference this way Abstraction: love (emotion – we all experience it differently) Concrete – desk (we all see it about the same way)

  6. Examples of Abstractions Love Honor Beauty Life Jealousy Happiness Maturity Patriotism Grace Serenity God Curiosity Despair Truth Sin Charity Isolation Democracy Theocracy (et.al.) Self respect Impulsiveness Superiority

  7. Remember: State a theme this way – abstraction + universal message ( story reference +  you + complete sentence) Example:Love is blind Now you know abstraction. How about universal message?

  8. Universal Message Definition ofuniversal message: a message about humanity understood by all people in all times and all places. Does the above fit that definition? Think of some others:

  9. Let’s look at how you find a theme in a piece of literature. Remember the story of “The Little Engine That Could”? I would write the theme of that story in this manner: Belief in person’s abilities can help him achieve his goals. Let’s see if that works. Do I have an abstraction? Belief (is that a thought, feeling, emotion or idea?) Yes! Do I have a universal message? A person’s abilities can help him reach his goals. Yes! Have I talked about the little engine in the theme? No! ( story reference +  you + complete sentence – that is, I never mentioned the little engine, and I wrote in third person. That’s a good theme!

  10. Now you try one. Do you know the story of the rabbit and the turtle that decide to race? Synopsis of the story: Once upon a time a rabbit and turtle decided to race. The rabbit was so confident that he’d win the race that after the race began, he ran all around and even stopped to take a nap. The turtle, on the other hand, simply kept crawling along. Finally, when the race was almost over, the rabbit realized that he was going to lose, so he began hopping as fast as he could, but he was too late. The turtle won.

  11. Write It! • Abstraction? • Message? • Theme? ( story reference +  you + complete sentence)

  12. Answer: Does your theme sound somewhat like this? Persistence brings its own rewards.

  13. Now, let’s try another. Synopsis: Once upon a time, a little shepherd boy was to take his flock to the high meadow, which was far away from his village. After he reached the meadow and settled the flock, he became very lonesome. Then he came up with an idea! He ran down the mountain shouting, “Wolf, wolf!” The villagers heard him and came running with their weapons to save the flock. When they all arrived at the meadow, they could find no wolf. They all assumed that they had scared off the predator, so they returned to the village, leaving the little boy alone again. After a few days, the boy pulled the same stunt with the same results. The boy was again left alone. Then the wolf appeared! The boy went running down the mountain shouting, Wolf, wolf!” But this time the villagers didn’t believe him and consequently refused to come. The flock was destroyed.

  14. Write It! • Abstraction? • Message? • Theme? ( story reference +  you + complete sentence)

  15. Answer: Does your theme sound somewhat like this? Deception can destroy a person’s reputation and even his life.

  16. How Do I Find the Theme in a Short Story? • Look at the title of the story. Does it give you a hint about the theme? • Does the main character in any way change in the course of the story? Does this character arrive at any eventual realization of understanding about life (universal message)? Are you left with any realization or understanding about life that you didn’t have before? • Does the author make any general observations about life or human nature? Do the characters make any? • Does the story contain any especially curious objects, mysterious flat characters, significant animals, repeated names, song titles, or whatever, that hint toward meanings larger than such ordinary things have? These are symbols, which may hint towards central themes.

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