Theme Themes in Novels, Song Lyrics, Movies, Art, Poetry, Photos, and Short Stories *

Definition of Theme Theme is the central idea or message in literature, lyrics, movies, art, or poetry. It is not the topic. Theme is stated in a sentence. Works can have many subjects and many themes, and both are open to interpretation. Looking at a theme park, one could say that the theme is fairly simple. Abstract nouns used to describe a theme park could be: fun, entertainment, leisure, family time, enjoyment, amusement, or play. Possible Themes: People are entertained by speed, thrills, and sometimes fear. *

Theme Attributes It cannot be a command or a question It cannot contain character names or events from the story (it has to be a general statement about life) It cannot be cliché(an overused phrase that loses its effectiveness from overuse)Ex. Love is blind; misery loves company; people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones; two wrongs don’t make a right It should be written in the third person *

Theme in Photos Possible Themes: People are entertained by speed or the thrill of being scared. Fast rides provide fun and entertainment. *

Art American Gothic by Grant Wood Theme: Men and women in the Midwest are strong and believe in faith and tradition. This is seen through the looks on their faces, and the gothic window in the background and their clothing show that they have faith and believe in tradition. http://grumpy-people.com/gallery/American_Gothic.jpg http://www.npr.org/player/v2 /mediaPlayer.html?action=1 &t=1&islist=false&id=47481 48&m=4748396 *

Lessons to be Learned or a Life Lesson http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2275/2439356229_ b076253b10.jpg By theme, we often mean a lesson that may be learned from the story or a portion of the story. Theme: Persistence pays off in the long run. A person should never be so sure of himself that he doesn’t put in the extra effort. *

Conflict is usually the driving force in understanding the theme. “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe The evil within is worse than the evil without.  The fear of discovery can bring about discovery. Work Cited: <http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/Guides2/Telltale.html>. *

Poetry Not In Vain If I can stop one heart from breaking I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain. http://www.stiltonprimary.co.uk/_files/images/14122006111754robin20snow202.jpg Emily Dickinson Pair Share - Theme *

Movies Second Line Pair-Share Theme *

Song Lyrics * Song from lyrics.com You're on the phone with your girlfriend, She's upset She's going off about something that you said She doesn’t get your humor like I do I'm in the room, its a typical Tuesday night I'm listening to the kind of music she doesn’t like And she'll never know your story like I do But she wears short skirts, I wear t-shirts She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers Dreaming bout the day when you wake up and find That what you're lookin’ for has been here the whole time If you could see that I'm the one who understands you Been here all along so why can't you see? You belong with me You belong with me Walkin’ the streets with you in your worn out jeans I cant help thinking this is how it ought to be Laughing on the park bench thinkin’ to myself Hey isn’t this easy? And you've got a smile that could light up this whole town I haven’t seen it in awhile, since she brought you down You say you find I know you better than that Hey, Whatcha doing with a girl like that? She wears high heels, I wear sneakers She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers Dreaming bout the day when you wake up and find That what you're looking for has been here the whole time If you could see that I'm the one who understands you Been here all along so why can't you see?  You belong with me Standin’ by, waiting at your back door All this time how could you not know that? You belong with me You belong with me Oh I remember you driving to my house in the middle of the night I'm the one who makes you laugh when you know you're about to cry I know your favorite songs and you tell me about your dreams I think I know where you belong. I think I know it's with me. Can't you see that I'm the one who understands you? Been here all along so why can't you see? You belong with me Standing by or waiting at your back door All this time how could you not know that You belong with me You belong with me Have you ever thought just maybe You belong with me You belong with me http://monica-bieber.blogspot.com/2011/05/taylor-swift-you- belong-with-me.html *