Theme

• 1. Finding Themes in LiteratureA message from theauthor

2. The Readers Job You, as the reader, must make inferences anddraw conclusions about what the author is tryingto express. One story can have more than one theme. 3. HEY! Whats the BIG IDEA?!! Themes are usually about BIG IDEAS: Freedom Trust Friendship Good vs. Evil And much, much more. 4. So, what is theme? Themes can be found everywhere: Literature Art Movies The theme of a fable is its moral. The theme of a piece of literature is its viewabout life and how people behave. 5. THIS is THEMETheme is the underlying meaning of the story.It is a universal Truth.It is a significant statement the story is makingabout society, human nature or the humancondition. 6. Get to the POINT! Theme is NOT the TOPIC. Theme IS the POINT being made about theTOPIC. Theme is a statement about LIFE. A GOOD theme teaches a VALUABLE lessonabout life. 7. Words of the Wise At times the authorstheme may not confirmor agree with your ownbeliefs. 8. Common LITERARY TOPICS Not THEMES! Friendship Survival Family Love & Hate Life & Death (Immortality) War & Peace Parenthood Poverty & Wealth Loneliness Heroes Freedom Patriotism Education Homelessness Prejudice Honesty Land Laws & Justice Relationship to nature/society Identity 9. Finding Theme Questions to ask yourself when thinking abouttheme and characters: How does the character change? What made him/her change? What lessons did the character learn? What are the characters feelings about whathappens in the story? What conflicts do the characters engage in and whathappens as a result? Title 10. Each theme has many anglesLOVE: Marriage Romance Platonic or companionatelove Altruistic love Love of Country Admiration Possessiveness Intense dependency Logical-sensible love Self-centered love Game-Playing Unrequited love Godly love Familial love Infatuation Physical attraction Jealousy 11. Themes?What is the theme inthe Disney classic,Pinocchio?What is the theme in theDisney classic, Beauty andthe Beast? 12. Themes?What is the theme inDisneys Monsters, Inc.?What is the theme inthe classic movie, TheWizard of Oz? 13. Theme & Topic Match UpCourage Revenge Jealousy Dreams1. Be careful how you treat otherpeople; they may treat you thesame.2. Face your fears and you candefeat them.3. Do not wish for what otherspossess. Be happy with whatyou have.4. Work for what you want in lifeand you can achieve any goal.1. _______RevengeCourage2. _______Jealousy3. _______Dreams4. _______ 14. Creating general thematicstatements Example: CourageBravery allows people to attempt difficult tasks(Topic) (Theme)in their lives. For example, in Finding Nemo whenNemo goes through the fish filter to get out.(when, because) 15. You write one! ______________ ________________________(Topic) (Theme)________________________________________(How the character learns it: when, because,.)