ThemeHonors Eng. 9Unit 3 Lecture Notes

An Introduction to Theme•True love will conquer all obstacles and

triumph in the end. ▫Write down some popular songs, books,

shows, or movies that convey the message above.

Theme•Theme:

▫Central idea, or insight, about life that a story reveals. This insight is a truth about human behavior

that the writer has usually discovered from experience. Example: don’t marry for love alone Example: as one grows old, death becomes less

terrifying To communicate their experience, the writer

simply tells a story that deals with that idea in some way.

▫Theme is the idea on which a story is built upon.

Communicating Theme•Theme is usually indirectly stated or

implied. ▫The characters will “act out” the theme for

the readers. ▫If the story works as the author intended,

we (the readers) will feel the characters’ experiences so strongly that the truth that is revealed to them is also revealed to us.

▫As an effect, the reader has seen what the author wanted us to see and/or understand about human behavior/life.

The Effect of Theme •Although the theme is “invisible,” it

serves as the story’s most forceful element. ▫A similar theme can be found across

several different pieces of literature. ▫Or, a similar theme can be found across

genres (fiction, nonfiction, poetry)▫A powerful theme can be the reason that a

work of literature is noticed, famous, liked, disliked, or even remembered.

Universal Themes

•Universal theme: ▫Theme that deals with basic human

concerns and recur in every culture and period of history. Examples: good and evil, life and death, love

and loss ▫ These themes are experiences that are

common to all people everywhere, and are common to tell.

▫Universal themes are often the types that help to guide us through life by shining light on our common experiences.

How To Find a Story’s Theme

•This is not an easy task…▫It requires stepping back from the work

and thinking about it holistically (as a whole).

•Figuring out the theme can and will help you to understand a piece of literature more fully.

•Typically, you can express a story’s theme in at least one full sentence or phrase.

Items to Consider When Attempting to Find a Story’s Theme1. Subject2. Character3. Conflict4. Title5. Test6. Subjectivity

Steps to Finding a Story’s Theme1. The theme of a work is NOT the same as

its subject. ▫ The subject is simply the topic, which can

be stated in a single word, such as love. ▫ The theme will make some revelation

about the subject, though. So, it helps to figure out the subject first.

▫ An example of a theme that would deal with the subject love:

Love may be more likely to bloom when we least expect it.

Steps to Finding a Story’s Theme2. Think about whether the main character

changes in the course of the literature (dynamic).

▫ This can simply mean the main character realizes something he or she didn’t know before.

▫ Or, it can be a significant change. ▫ Often, the author expresses the theme

through what a character learns.

Steps to Finding a Story’s Theme3. Think about how the conflict is resolved

▫ Conflict is a central idea in a piece of literature. Example: A character may have to decide between

individual freedom or the responsibility to their family.

▫ Therefore, how the conflict is resolved may provide a clue to the story’s theme.

Example: Cartoons – The small, physically weak character can often triumph over a strong and aggressive character by using cleverness.

4. Before and after you finish reading a work of literature, think about the title.

▫ Does it have special meaning? ▫ Does it point to the theme in some way?

Not all titles will, but you should consider it at least.

Steps to Finding a Story’s Theme5. Once you think you have discovered the

theme, test it! ▫ Try applying your theme to the whole piece of

literature. ▫ Make sure it doesn’t just apply to one or a few

parts of the literature. 6. Keep in mind subjectivity … it’s your opinion!

▫ Others may feel differently than you do about the theme you have chosen. Or, you may have a different way of revealing the theme than someone else.

▫ There may even be more than one theme. ▫ As long as you can support your chosen theme

with evidence from text (intelligently), it should work!

Think Critically About the Theme• A wise reader will always make a judgment

about an author’s view, rather than just accept it as valid.

• For example, a wise reader would ask…▫Is this story’s view too romantic? ▫Is it too cynical? ▫Is it too simplistic? ▫Is it realistic? ▫Is it narrow-minded? ▫Is this writer over enthusiastic? ▫Is the writer trying to get me to buy an idea

that is false or over exaggerated?

Think Critically About the Theme •Much of popular fiction is “formula

fiction” ▫Fiction written to a plan that satisfies the

general preference for happy or upbeat stories rather than something that is true-to-life.

▫As wise readers, we must learn to judge the credibility of the fiction we read… just the same as we do with television.