Theme

1. Theme

2. What is Theme? • The main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work. • A theme may be stated or implied. • Theme differs from the subjector topic of a literary work • it involves a statement or opinion about the topic.

3. What is a Theme? • A theme is a generalization about life or human nature. • Certain types of experiences are common to all people everywhere.

4. Universal Themes • come up again and again in literature • deal with basic human concerns—good and evil, life and death, love and loss • shine a light on our common experiences • can help guide us through our lives

5. Major and Minor Themes • A major theme • an idea the author returns to time and again • becomes one of the most important ideas in the story. • Minor themes • ideas that may appear from time to time.

6. Subject of a Work vs. Its Theme • The subject • the topic on which an author has chosen to write. • The theme • makes some statement about or expresses some opinion on that topic. • For example: • Subject: war • Theme: war is senseless.

7. Ways to Express a Theme • Expressed and emphasized by • the way the author makes us feel.

8. Ways to Express a Theme • Suggested through the characters. • The main character • illustrates the most important theme of the story. • ask yourself the question, what does the main character learn in the course of the story? Do they change in some way?

9. Ways to Express a Theme • Character • By sharing feelings of the main character • By sharing the ideas that go through the main character’s mind.

10. Ways to Express a Theme • Character • Presented in thoughts and conversations. • Authors put words in their character’s mouths only for good reasons. One of these is to develop a story’s themes. • Look for thoughts that are repeated throughout the story.

11. Ways to Express a Theme • Conflict • The main problem in the story • How the main character reacts to the conflict • Actions or events • People naturally express ideas and feelings through their actions. • Authors think about what an action will "say". • In other words, how will the action express an idea or theme?

12. Finding the Theme Conflict helps reveal theme. • What is the conflict, or struggle between opposing forces, that the main character faces? • How is the conflict resolved? Conflict Resolution Theme Two friends find a wallet. One friend wants to return it to the owner; the other wants to keep it. They return the wallet and share a small reward. People are often rewarded for making the right moral decision.

13. Try it out! • Read the plot summaries of the fairy tales on your “Stories with Strong Themes” hand out • Decide on an appropriate theme for each fairy tale

14. Finding the Theme There is no single way to state the theme. • People may express the same theme in different words. • There may be different opinions about what the main theme is. • The most meaningful literary works often have more than one theme.

15. Universal Themes Match these familiar stories to the appropriate universal theme. Quick Check Stories The Little Red Hen Beauty and the Beast The Three Little Pigs The Ugly Duckling The Frog Prince A It pays to work hard and plan ahead. B Appearances can be deceiving. [End of Section]

16. Universal Themes Match these familiar stories to the appropriate universal theme. Quick Check Stories The Little Red Hen Beauty and the Beast The Three Little Pigs The Ugly Duckling The Frog Prince A A It pays to work hard and plan ahead. B A B B Appearances can be deceiving. B

17. Finding the Theme Quick Check What is the conflict and how is it resolved? Because of a feud over a piece of land, Ulrich and Georg are bitter enemies. One night they encounter each other on the disputed land. Each thinks of killing the other. Suddenly a huge tree falls and pins them both under its weight. At first the men threaten each other. After a while, however, they notice each other’s suffering, make a pact of friendship, and look forward to being rescued and living in peace. Then they are attacked by wolves. synopsis of “The Interlopers” by Saki What do the characters learn?

18. Finding the Theme Quick Check What is the theme? (State it in a sentence.) Because of a feud over a piece of land, Ulrich and Georg are bitter enemies. One night they encounter each other on the disputed land. Each thinks of killing the other. Suddenly a huge tree falls and pins them both under its weight. At first the men threaten each other. After a while, however, they notice each other’s suffering, make a pact of friendship, and look forward to being rescued and living in peace. Then they are attacked by wolves. synopsis of “The Interlopers” by Saki

19. Practice Think of a story you’ve read that had an impact on you. Then, use a map like the one here to help you figure out the story’s theme. Compare your map with the ones your classmates made. Did you and any of your classmates map stories with similar themes? Title: Topic: • How the main character changes: • How the conflict is resolved: • What the title suggests: Theme:

20. Review Questions • What is theme? • What is the difference between a subject of a literary work and its theme? • What are some ways an author can convey a theme?