Theme vs. Main Idea

Theme vs. Main Idea Identifying Theme and Main Idea In Complex Texts

What is Theme? • Themeis the lesson, or insight, about lifeand human behavior that a story reveals. • The theme is what makes a story linger in our hearts and minds long after we have read it. • It is the idea on which the story is built. • Theme most often applies to literary texts such as novels, short stories, dramas, and poetry.

How Do I Find the Theme in a Text? • Often times, the theme is not stated directly. • The theme is revealed to the reader through the character’s experiences.

How Do I Find the Theme in a Text? • Theme is revealed through what the character learns. • In order to determine the theme, ask yourself these questions: • What is the lesson the character learned in the story? • What does the character realize that he or she did not know before?

Stating the Theme • There is no single way to state the theme of a text. • Readers may express the same theme in different words. • Many times, there is more than one theme in a text.

Stating the Theme • One way to figure out if you have stated the theme correctly is to ask yourself this question: Does the theme I have stated apply to the whole work or only parts of it? • The theme must apply to the wholework!

Stating the Theme • Remember, the theme is not the same thing as the subject or topic (what the piece is about). Topic is stated in one word. For example, “Honeybees.” • The theme should be expressed in a sentence! • For example, the theme of the poem “Honeybees” is: Hard work and dedication often goes unrewarded.

Let’s Practice! • What is the theme of these popular films? • Beauty and the Beast • The Hunger Games

What is Central Idea? CENTRAL IDEA = MAIN IDEA These terms mean the same thing. • The central idea is what the passage is mainly about! • The central idea is not the topic. A central idea is stated in a sentence, not just one to two words. • Central idea most commonly refers to informational texts.

Finding the Main Idea • To find the main idea of a paragraph or passage, ask yourself this question: What is the most important point the author wants me to understand about the topic?

Let’s Practice! • What is the main idea of this paragraph? “Beginning a new job is always exciting and sometimes intimidating. There is an invigorating feeling of a fresh start and a clean slate. You face new challenges and draw on a renewed sense of energy as you approach them. But you may also feel apprehensive . . .”

Let’s Practice! • What is the main idea of this paragraph? "Taking vitamins may be beneficial to your health for several reasons. For one thing, vitamins provide essential nutrients that may be lacking in your diet. Also, some vitamins may reduce your risk of cancer and other diseases. Finally, vitamins may increase your energy and improve your well-being."

Characterization Notes • Indirect and Direct Characterization • Flat and Round • Static and Dynamic

Direct Characterization • Direct Characterization: When the narrator or another character tells us what a person is like. • Ex: Jason was a tall, broad-shouldered football player who always had a smile on his face.

Direct Examples • CHARACTERIZATION in HOMS1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization from HOMS. • Why do you think the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?

Direct Characterization Examples: • "She was a horse woman too." • This was used to describe Esperanza's grandmother who also has the name Esperanza."She is very sassy." • This was used to talk about Rachel's comment about the fat woman's wide load.

Indirect Characterization • Indirect Characterization: Requires the reader to look for clues that reveal a character’s traits and motivation. When looking for indirect characterization, think about all the following: • What a character does (actions) • What a character thinks • What a character says (dialogue) • What other characters say and how they react • Ex: Jody ran up the stairs to her room, tears streaming down her face, and slammed her door loudly, hoping her mother would hear.

Indirect Characterization Examples "... first annual Tarzan jumping contest. Meme won. And broke both arms." From this you can infer that Meme was extremely reckless and paid the price." He worked two jobs. He came home late and left early. Everyday." From this you can infer that the man is a hard worker, and he does what he can to support his family with two jobs.

Direct & Indirect Characterization Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)? The author uses both approaches in order to make the character realistic, when people talk about them selves they have direct approaches, "I am lazy, stubborn" and from their actions you can infer other attributes of their personality. The lasting impression of the characters were realistic, they had thoughts, flaws and you were able to create your own opinion about them.

Your Turn Look for examples of both direct and indirect characterization from the following passage in “Thank You, M’am,” a short story by Langston Hughes: • She was a large woman with a large purse that had everything in it but a hammer and nails. It had a long strap, and she carried it slung across her shoulder. It was about eleven o’clock at night, and she was walking alone when a boy ran up behind her and tried to snatch her purse. The strap broke with the single tug the boy gave it from behind. But the boy’s weight and the weight of the purse combined caused him to lose his balance so, instead of taking off full blast as he had hoped, the boy fell on his back on the sidewalk, and his legs flew up. The large woman simply turned around and kicked him right square in his blue-jeaned sitter. Then she reached down, picked the boy up by his shirt front, and shook him until his teeth rattled.

Character Development: • Characterization—the process of revealing the personality of a character. • Round Character—a well-developed character with varied traits, both good and bad. • Ex: Ariel, in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, has positive traits, like being loving and courageous, but she also has less flattering traits like being forgetful and disobedient. She is a well-developed character with many sides.

Character Development: • Flat Character—a less-developed character with one or a few traits; he/she is usually one-sided or stereotypical. • Ex: Think of dumb blonde characters in many teen movies—they are usually selfish, bossy, and mean. We never see them being nice or having problems of their own. They are one-sided and less developed.

Character Change: • Dynamic Character—a character that develops and changes over the course of a story due to a conflict or newfound understanding. • Ex: Scrooge is selfish and mean in the beginning of A Christmas Carol, but later becomes generous and selfless when he realizes his sins. He changes because of what happens to him in the story.

Character Change: • Static Character—a character who remains the same over the course of the entire story. • Ex: Cinderella’s stepmother is mean in the beginning of the fairytale and mean at the end. She never changes.

Here’s a trick to help you remember the definitions: • Round=Many Characteristics • Flat=Few Characteristics • Static=Same and Dynamic=Different Your Turn: Now, back to “The House on Mango Street.” Is Esperanza flat and who is round? Why? Is she static or dynamic? Why?

Flat or Round? • ROUND, we know a lot about her. Esperanza is the "heart" of this story. She's not only our narrator, but both the protagonist and antagonist as well. • Over the course of the novel she changes drastically, and the reader, in turn, experiences all of those changes right along side of her. Because the novel is written in fragments, we not only learn about Esperanza from the things she shares in her own perspective, but also through the stories the other characters share.

Static or Dynamic? • Esperanza is both a dynamic and round character. One who undergoes an important inner change, as a change in personality or attitude. Esperanza undergoes a change in innocence. The older girl explains to her about women's clothes, make-up. Esperanza starts off only associating with girls, then begins to crush on boys, and soon a kiss is stolen from Esperanza. Lastly the most dramatic change in Esperanza is after she was sexually assaulted, she declared to be a women wanted but refused to ever give in to a man.

Themes Pick one You will watch for evidence of this them throughout so pick wisely!

Themes from HOMS • Identity. • Dreams, Hopes, and Plans. • Society and Class. • Innocence. • Gender. • Women and Femininity. • The Home.

Characterization Chart

Theme Chart

Theme vs. Main Idea