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THEME AND SYMBOLISM

THEME AND SYMBOLISM. THEME. A theme is a message about life or human nature that the author wants the reader to understand. Theme deals with big topics that apply to everyone’s lives and are messages to which most people can relate.

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THEME AND SYMBOLISM

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  1. THEME AND SYMBOLISM

  2. THEME • A theme is a message about life or human nature that the author wants the reader to understand. • Theme deals with big topics that apply to everyone’s lives and are messages to which most people can relate. • Some themes apply only to a specific time, place, or situation. • Other themes apply to a variety of situations and appear repeatedly throughout literature. These are called recurring themes.

  3. THEME • Some recurring themes are also considered to be universal themes. • Universal themes apply to people universally – they are found in the literature of many different time periods and cultures. • Universal themes address big ideas that are fundamental to human existence and are true for most people. • One example of a universal theme is, “Good will triumph over evil.”

  4. THEME • The author uses different story elements to communicate the theme(s) to the reader. • Look at the following story elements, when trying to determine the theme:

  5. THEME • Theme is not the same as plot: • Plot deals with the specific events in the story. It is what happens in a story. • Theme is the overall message of the story. It is what you learn from the story. • Plot and theme are related, because the theme is usually based on the plot.

  6. THEME • Theme is not the same as topic: • Topic is a one-word description of what a story is about. • For example, a story’s topic might be friendship, love, jealousy, betrayal, loyalty, hope, etc. • Theme tells us something about the world or human nature and cannot be expressed in one word. • Theme usually tells you something about the topic.

  7. SYMBOLISM • A symbol is an object, activity, place, or person that stands for something beyond itself. • Symbolism is sometimes used to hint at the theme. • Examples of symbols include: • Symbols of freedom and liberty: American flag, Bald Eagle, Uncle Sam, the Statue of Liberty • Symbols of peace: White flag, Dove, Peace sign • Symbols of bravery or strength: Shield, Sword, Armor

  8. SYMBOLISM • Symbols of trouble: Jolly Roger (pirate flag), Skull and Crossbones (poison) • Symbols of medicine: Red Cross, Caduceus (staff with snakes)

  9. SYMBOLISM • Many different colors and animals are used as symbols. • Black stands for evil • White stands for goodness or purity • Purple symbolizes royalty • Green symbolizes jealousy • Red can symbolize love or anger • Yellow can symbolize caution or happiness • Pink symbolizes girls or femininity • Blue symbolizes boys or masculinity

  10. SYMBOLISM • A turtle symbolizes slowness • A fox symbolizes slyness • A dog symbolizes loyalty • An owl symbolizes wisdom • A lion symbolizes courage • A unicorn symbolizes purity or virginity • A snake can symbolize danger or betrayal • Sometimes symbols are obvious, but often they are very subtle and can go unnoticed by the average reader.

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