WHAT IS THEME?

THEME IS…

•The theme of a fable is its moral.

•The theme of a parable is its teaching.

•The theme of a piece of fiction is its view about life and how people behave. (a “universal truth”)

THEME

• In fiction, the theme is not intended to teach or preach. In fact, it may not be presented directly at all. You extract it from the characters, action, and setting that make up the story. In other words, you must figure out the theme yourself!

THEME

• The writer's task is to communicate on a common ground with the reader. Although the particulars of your experience may be different from the details of the story, the general underlying truths behind the story may be just the connection that both you and the writer are seeking.

FINDING THE THEMEA writer presents themes in a literary work through several ways.

• A writer may express a theme through the feelings of his main character about the subject he has chosen to write about.

• Themes are also presented through thoughts and conversations of different characters.

• The experiences of the main character in the course of a literary work give us an idea about its theme.

• The actions and events taking place in a story are important in determining its theme.

FINDING THE THEME , CONT.

• Check out the title. Sometimes it tells you a lot about the theme.

• Notice repeating patterns and symbols. Sometimes these lead you to the theme.

• What allusions are made throughout the story?

• What are the details and particulars in the story? What greater meaning may they have?

• Remember that theme, plot, and structure are inseparable, all helping to inform and reflect back on each other. Also, be aware that a theme we determine from a story never completely explains the story. It is simply one of the elements that make up the whole.

EXAMPLES OF THEME…

•The Hunger Games?The inequality between rich & poorThe importance of appearancesSacrificeLovePower

EXAMPLES OF THEME…

•Diary of a Wimpy KidCourageLoyaltyFriendshipfamily

EXAMPLES OF THEME…The Ant and the Grasshopper

            In a field one summer's day, a grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content.  An ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.  "Why not come and chat with me," said the grasshopper, "instead of toiling and moiling in that way?"  "I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the ant, "and recommend you to do the same."  "Why bother about winter?" Said the grasshopper; we have got plenty of food at present."  But the ant went on its way and continued its toil.  When the winter came, the grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer.  Then the grasshopper knew.  

•Theme? Work now and play later