Themes in Literature 2 Theories

1. Themes in Literature 2 Theories The theme in a Quest is most likely contained in the “Real Purpose of the Journey” the Self Discovery which only takes place when a person is put in unfamiliar surroundings. • According to this, what is the self discovery in “On the Rainy River?” Theme is the central insight about life in a work of literature. A theme is not the same as the subject of topic of a work, which can usually be expressed in a word or phrase: ambition, alienation, regret. You should be able to state the theme of a story in a sentence or two that gives a generalization about life… [However] most themes are implied—that is, a reader must determine the theme based on details given in the story… (World Lit, 803)

2. Theme of “…Rainy River” Discuss both the revelation and “O’Brian” has about himself at the end and the following passage and hypothesis as a table what the theme of the story might be. Don’t forget to discuss the actions of Elroy Berdahl in coming to your conclusions. “The man who opened the door that day is the hero of my life. How do I say this without sounding sappy? Blurt it out—the man saved me. He offered exactly what I needed, without questions, without any words at all. He took me in. He was there at the critical time—a silent, watchful presence. Six days later, when it ended, I was unable to find a proper way to thank him, and I never have, and so, if nothing else, this story represents a small gesture of gratitude twenty years overdue” (Textbook, 1007).