theme

Theme

Theme

The story in a nutshellTheme for Students of Fiction

For the writer, theme can beA goal that drives their writingPeople really are basically good/evil/afraid/brave/lonely . . . let me show thatMeaning discovered as they writeI lived, survived, felt, saw, believed, dreamed this. What does it all mean? Meaning shaped for the writers pleasure & peaceThis all means something. Things dont just happen to me; I create out of it.Wisdom passed on to society and the futureOther people might need what I have to give.

Theme for Students of Fiction

For the reader, theme can beMeaning receivedSomeone (else) lived, survived, felt, saw . . . this. Let me see what it meant to them.Meaning updated - a long time ago in a galaxy far awayThese characters from another time or place mean this now . . .Imagination expanded These people (or creatures) are so different from me but the same issues come up for themChange ignitedI dont want to think about this, this story is making me think about it (prejudice for example)


For a culture, theme can beA necessary, nurturing messageNever give up (Shawshank Redemption, Rocky, Sure Thing, WALL.E)Realize your potential (Good Will Hunting and many more)Friends are precious (Breakfast Club, The Temptations)Stand up for what you believe (A & P)A WarningWatch out for Government control (1984, Harrison Bergeron)Dont show off there will be a price (A & P?)You cant escape your fate (Oedipus, Appointment in Samarra)What goes around comes around (Game of Thrones)A repository of valuesFight Racism (To Kill a Mockingbird)Dont judge people (Cathedral, Brownies)Family are connected forever (Frequency, Everyday Use)True Beauty comes from the heart (Beauty & the Beast)


Each generation of writers lights the light For, while the tale of how we suffer, and how we are delighted, and how we may triumph is never new, it always must be heard. There isn't any other tale to tell, it's the only light we've got in all this darkness.

Sonnys Blues by James BaldwinTheme for Students of Fiction

A few cautionsUsually there is no single correct statement of theme though there can be incorrect ones.A long, complex work is likely to have several themes.Not all literary works have themes. Some pieces are for entertainment only. Where and how does a theme emerge for you? Is there a should?


A larger caution A story really isnt any good unless it resists paraphrase, unless it hangs on and expands in the mind. Properly, you analyze to enjoy, but its equally true that to analyze with any discrimination, you have to have enjoyed already. Flannery OConnor A Reasonable Use of the UnreasonableTheme for Students of Fiction

Climax can push theme to the surfaceAll you have to do is kill me, like they said you would.

Watch the ending of Minority Report. The theme emerges within a dramatic scene. After watching, put the theme in your own words, then see the next slide.


So what is the Theme?You know your own future, which means you can change it if you want to. You still have a choice. Like I did.Yes, I have a choice. And I make it.

Ah Its an old theme, prevalent in science fiction: We have free will

For 10 bonus points, send me a clip from another film with a similar theme. State the theme in your own words. Theme for Students of Fiction

Motifs reveal themeA motif is an object, idea, or even a sound that runs through a story. It helps build and reinforce the theme so the reader feels it. The reader feels it more because good motifs carry symbolic meaning. That is, they may be a physical thing, like a window or a quilt, but they also come to stand forto give the feeling ofan abstract concept such as freedom or family ties.Theme for Students of Fiction

The shark-coming motif in JawsTheme for Students of Fiction

Only so many themesAccording to The Script Lab, there are only ten major themes: good vs. evillove conquers alltriumph over adversityindividual vs societyindividual vs natureindividual vs him/herself (addictions for example)death as a part of lifeloss of innocencerevengethe battle

Why not start a forum thread this week or next on one of these questions: Do you agree with that list? Are there themes you would add?Which themes on that list are most important to your generation?What is your favorite theme? What are your favorite example of that theme? Theme for Students of Fiction

Theme is not topicThe topic of a story can be named in a word or two. The theme is what the author says or implies ABOUT that topic. Theme is the gem of wisdom.Theme for Students of FictionTopic what is the story about?Theme What meaning do we take away?The pastYou have to face your past before you can achieve your destiny (The Lion King)CooperationWhen we work together we cant be stopped (A Bugs Life)JourneysIts not the destination but the journey that counts (Cars)

Wisdom clipsYou might enjoy this compilation. Viewing it, one gets the impression that film and story exist in order to hand on meaning and wisdom.

Reel Wisdom - Lessons from 40 films in 7 minutes


Using theme in Essay #2In comparing and contrasting two stories, you need at least one literary element as a point of comparison. This could be Theme. Do two stories with very different characters and plots communicate a similar theme? Thats interesting. Or perhaps two stories use the same topic but end up with very different themes. That would make an interesting point of comparison.Theme for Students of Fiction

Thanks for thinkingTheme for Students of Fiction

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