WHAT IS THEME? English II

What is Theme? Theme is the central idea, or insight, about life or human behavior that a story reveals. In most stories, the theme is not stated directly!! Instead, it is revealed to us through the characters’ experiences!

UNIVERSAL THEMES Come up again and again in literature Deal with basic human concerns– good and evil, life and death, love and loss Shine a light on our common experiences Can help guide us through our lives

UNIVERSAL THEMES THREE RULES No references to plot No “YOU” statements No advice

FINDING the Theme (part one) Writers often express theme through what their characters learn. Does the main character change? Does a character realize something he or she didn’t know before?

FINDING the Theme (part two) Conflict helps reveal theme. What is the conflict, or struggle between opposing forces, that the main character faces? How is the conflict resolved?

FINDING the Theme (part three) Sometimes the title gives clues. Does the title have a special meaning? Does it point to the theme?

FINDING the Theme (part four) The theme applies to the entire work Test your statement of the theme Does it apply to the whole work, not just parts of it?

Now that you can find the theme…. You need to learn how to STATE it! Next up: FOUR EASY STEPS!

STEP ONE (Stating the theme) Summarize the plot by writing a one-sentence description that contains necessary information about the exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

STEP TWO (Stating the theme) Identify the one-word THEME word!

STEP THREE (stating the theme) Identify what the story says that was learned about the THEME word.

STEP FOUR (stating the theme) Write one universal statement that explains what was learned. Be sure to include the one-word THEME word in your sentence. REMEMBER… Universal means: No references to plot No “You” statements No advice!

There is no single way to state the theme! People may express the same theme in different words. There may be different opinions about what the main theme is. The most meaningful literary works often have more than ONE theme!

REALLY BAD EXAMPLES Challenges in life. What’s wrong with this? It’s not a complete sentence!

REALLY BAD EXAMPLES Pride can be a good thing or a bad thing. What is wrong with this? It is too general!

REALLY BAD EXAMPLES Revenge is when a person hits someone back after being hit. What is wrong with this? This is an example of revenge, not a truth about all types of revenge!

REALLY BAD EXAMPLES Love is blind. What is wrong with this? It is a cliché.

REALLY BAD EXAMPLES Family was very important to James McBride. What is wrong with this? This needs to be a universal statement. It is specific to the text!

Now, you try! Write a theme statement based on the theme word. Trade. Check if theme meets criteria. Write the reverse theme statement.