Gaining Meaning from Literature Author’s Purpose and Theme

Purpose vs. Theme Purpose: Theme: What does the writer want you to understand/take away about the subject of the book? What is his/her motive for writing? Specific to the book Theme: General observation about life or human behavior May apply to many different situations Beyond the book

Author’s Purpose to explain to entertain to persuade What is it and how does it work? to entertain what happened? to persuade What should I feel or do about it?

Themes: describe the general meaning of the literature reflect values of entire literature, not one specific part do not include references to specific characters, events, and contexts

Theme examples: Although they are difficult, getting through struggles makes people stronger. Losing the things or people we love causes us to appreciate what we have. We don’t always get acceptance from other people, but what matters most is that we accept ourselves.

Places to look for theme: Beginning/end Character changes/understandings Reflections/narration Symbols Transforming events

Talking about author’s purpose Reasons authors write: To tell a story To explain how to do something To persuade someone to believe as they do To describe an object, process or place To express feelings

Talking about theme … Not book specific Needs to be more than a one or two word phrase, and is not plot or subject of the book Think beyond the book Human trait or tendency Observation of life in general or human nature/inclinations

Literary Circle Activity Author’s purpose? What do they want readers to take away from The Boy in the Striped Pajamas? What is the theme? Is there more than 1? Complete the Thematic Analysis Activity and discuss findings