Theme

The author’s message

Theme can be defined as: The “moral of the story” The underlying meaning of the story A universal truth A significant statement the story is making about

society, human nature, or the human condition.

Each of the images above are universal symbols: what do they represent?

White Dove = Peace

Statue of Liberty = Freedom

The Grim Reaper =

Death

What is the “moral of the story” in “The Tortoise & the Hare”?

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animations!

Expression of themes• A story's theme must be described in universal

terms, not in terms of the plot. (The plot is the way the universal theme is carried out in that particular

story.)

• Themes can be applied to the reader's own life, the world at large, or to other literature.

• The primary theme is most important theme in the story.

• There may be other secondary themes as well.

Something that is “universal” is recognizable to all and means the same thing to all regardless of background.

Types of themes:An explicit theme is stated openly in the literature.

The Wizard of Oz: “There’s no place like home” Harry Potter & the

Sorcerer’s Stone: Some men waste their lives living in a fantasy. Harry Potter & the

Chamber of Secrets: Our choices make up who we are. Braveheart: “Every man

dies. Not every man truly lives.”

Explicit Theme Examples

Dead Poets Society: Seize the day! Austin Powers: Freedom and

responsibility go hand in hand. Saw: Those who don’t value life deserve to lose it. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: “Life moves

pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.”

Types of Themes An implicit theme is not directly stated,

but one that the reader can infer. Shrek: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire: When lacking experience, cleverness will do.Mean Girls: You can only truly “fit in” when you are yourself.Titanic: Man’s arrogance will be his downfall.Terminator: Reliance on machines erodes humanity; Self-destruction is part of human nature.The Craft: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Statement of themes• General Themes are often explored in literature

Sacrifice, Loyalty, Freedom, Honesty, Truth, Survival• However, in the end, the resolution of the story

states the themes definitively; 1 word isn’t enough.

• To say a book's theme is "friendship" is unclear. oIt may mean, "Friends are a person's most

valuable possession." oIt may also mean, "Friends cannot be trusted

if their own interests are opposed to yours."