Theme What a Theme Is Not Different Readers, Different Themes Recurring Themes Your Turn What Is a Story’s Theme? Feature Menu

Theme Think of a movie or book that had a strong impact on you.

Theme When you walked out of the theater or closed the book, you may have found yourself thinking about the story’s message about life. Life

Theme If so, you were thinking about the theme of that movie or book—its message about life.

Theme Maybe the theme made you look at yourself in a new way. Or, perhaps the theme helped you understand a friend in a way you hadn’t before.

Writers do not always have a theme in mind when they begin writing. Often, a writer begins with an idea about a character or a situation. Theme What’s your theme going to be? ?

Theme Eventually, a theme begins to emerge from the developing story and from the writer’s beliefs about life. I think I see a theme emerging!

When Sam visited his grandfather’s restaurant, Gramps told him a story about a young boy. His brothers teased the boy because he hated to go fishing. Instead, he loved to help his mom cook the fish they brought home. The boy didn’t let their comments bother him; he kept right on cooking. Before long, his family was begging the boy to cook his special dish. Quick Check What is a theme, or message about life, of the grandfather’s story? [End of Section] Theme

Quick Check Theme One theme is “do what you enjoy, and you can find success.” When Sam visited his grandfather’s restaurant, Gramps told him a story about a young boy. His brothers teased the boy because he hated to go fishing. Instead, he loved to help his mom cook the fish they brought home. The boy didn’t let their comments bother him; he kept right on cooking. Before long, his family was begging the boy to cook his special dish. What is a theme, or message about life, of the grandfather’s story?

What a Theme Is Not the subject of a story, the plot of a story, or A theme is not a summary of a story.

What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not the Subject of a Story The subject is the overall idea of what a story is about. Subjects can fit neatly into categories. A theme is not the subject.

What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not the Subject of a Story A subject can often be described using a single word or phrase, such as A theme needs a full sentence to describe it: Sometimes feelings of grief help bring about needed change. grief, competition, or betrayal. A theme is not the subject.

What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not the Subject of a Story Theme: What you learn about the subject Theme: Sometimes the most ordinary moments are filled with the most love. The theme states what you learn about the subject from reading the story. Subject Subject: Love A theme is not the subject.

Quick Check What is the subject of the story? What is a theme of the story? [End of Section] What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not the Subject of a Story Juan loved soccer. He couldn’t remember a time when he was not kicking a ball around on the grass, down the street, or even in the house. His mom hated it when he played ball in the house. It was raining—and had been for four days straight. Juan was itching to play soccer, and his mom wasn’t home. He decided it wouldn’t hurt to kick the ball a little, using the fireplace as a goal. Unfortunately, he missed the fireplace and hit the new lamp.

What is the subject of the story? What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not the Subject of a Story The subject of the story is “playing soccer in the house.” Quick Check Juan loved soccer. He couldn’t remember a time when he was not kicking a ball around on the grass, down the street, or even in the house. His mom hated it when he played ball in the house. It was raining—and had been for four days straight. Juan was itching to play soccer, and his mom wasn’t home. He decided it wouldn’t hurt to kick the ball a little, using the fireplace as a goal. Unfortunately, he missed the fireplace and hit the new lamp.

What is a theme of the story? What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not the Subject of a Story One theme of the story is “rules sometimes exist for a reason.” Juan loved soccer. He couldn’t remember a time when he was not kicking a ball around on the grass, down the street, or even in the house. His mom hated it when he played ball in the house. It was raining out—and had been for four days straight. Juan was itching to play soccer, and his mom wasn’t home. He decided it wouldn’t hurt to kick the ball a little, using the fireplace as a goal. Unfortunately, he missed the fireplace and hit the new lamp. Quick Check

A plot is a series of related events that occur in a story. When you tell your friends what happened in a movie you saw, you are telling them the plot. What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not the Plot of a Story A theme is not the plot.

What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not the Plot of a Story Cinderella is a kind girl who is mistreated by her ugly stepsisters. She attends the royal ball and becomes a princess in the end. Good people are rewarded with good fortune. To understand the difference between theme and plot, think of the fairy tale “Cinderella.” A theme is not the plot. Plot Theme

A.Friendship B.Kelly and Maria were closer than sisters, but Kelly could never understand why Maria barely talked to her at school. One day, Kelly overheard some students gossiping about her with Maria. Maria was afraid that if she stuck up for Kelly she’d become the next target for the gossip. C.Sometimes, your best friends can be your worst enemies. Quick Check Which of these passages is an example of a plot? [End of Section] Which passage is an example of a theme? What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not the Plot of a Story

Quick Check Choice B shows a series of events, so it is a plot. Which of these passages is an example of a plot? A.Friendship B.Kelly and Maria were closer than sisters, but Kelly could never understand why Maria barely talked to her at school. One day Kelly overheard some students gossiping about her with Maria. Maria was afraid that if she stuck up for Kelly she’d become the next target for the gossip. C.Sometimes, your best friends can be your worst enemies. What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not the Plot of a Story

Quick Check Choice C makes a statement about life, so it is an example of a theme. Which passage is an example of a theme? A.Friendship B.Kelly and Maria were closer than sisters, but Kelly could never understand why Maria barely talked to her at school. One day Kelly overheard some students gossiping about her with Maria. Maria was afraid that if she stuck up for Kelly she’d become the next target for the gossip. C.Sometimes, your best friends can be your worst enemies. What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not the Plot of a Story

What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not a Summary of a Story A summary states the most important events in a story. It should be much shorter in length than the original text. I don’t have time to read the whole book. Can you summarize it for me? This is the book I was telling you about. A theme is not a summary.

1. Summarizing a story can help you figure out its theme. Follow these steps: What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not a Summary of a Story After you have read a story or seen a movie, write down the most important parts. Then, ask yourself, “What message or truth about life have I understood from this story?” Your answer is the theme. Keep in mind that a story may have more than one theme A theme is not a summary.

What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not a Summary of a Story A man decides he wants more out of life, so he quits his job and sells all his belongings. He uses the money to travel all over the world. He meets new people and discovers new cultures. Three months later, he realizes that he finally feels good about himself. What truth about life does this story suggest? Here is a summary of a story: I know! If a person is not happy with life, he or she can always try to change it. A theme is not a summary.

A.Little Red Riding Hood met a big bad wolf. B.Stay on the path and don’t trust strangers. C.Little Red Riding Hood went to visit her grandmother. The visit proved to be an even bigger adventure than she had planned. In the end, the wolf was caught and she and her grandmother were safe. Quick Check Which of these passages is a summary of “Little Red Riding Hood?” [End of Section] Which passage states its theme? What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not a Summary of a Story

Quick Check Which of these passages is a summary of “Little Red Riding Hood?” Passage C gives a brief overview of the story, so it is a summary. A.Little Red Riding Hood met a big bad wolf. B.Stay on the path and don’t trust strangers. C.Little Red Riding Hood went to visit her grandmother. The visit proved to be an even bigger adventure than she had planned. In the end, the wolf was caught and she and her grandmother were safe. What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not a Summary of a Story

Quick Check Which passage states its theme? Passage B which states a lesson about life, so it is the theme. A.Little Red Riding Hood met a big bad wolf. B.Stay on the path and don’t trust strangers. C.Little Red Riding Hood went to visit her grandmother. The visit proved to be an even bigger adventure than she had planned. In the end, the wolf was caught and she and her grandmother were safe. What a Theme Is Not: A Theme Is Not a Summary of a Story

Different Readers, Different Themes Everyone has different experiences in life. These experiences influence how you view a movie, TV show, piece of art, poem, or story.

Different Readers, Different Themes Look closely at the following painting. What do you think the painting means?

Different Readers, Different Themes Discuss the painting’s meaning with another student. In what ways are your interpretations similar? In what ways are they different?

Just as two people will probably see the same painting in different ways, two readers will often understand a story differently. Different Readers, Different Themes I think “Little Red Riding Hood” is about listening to your parents and taking their advice. I think it’s about standing up to bullies.

Because two readers may have different views of the same story, each reader may discover two or more different themes within the story. Different Readers, Different Themes [End of Section]

People around the world share many of the same dreams... and fears. Recurring Themes

Some stories appear in many different countries and cultures. Recurring Themes

Characters and settings may be different, but... the same themes will reappear again and again. True love endures and thrives. Friendship is golden. Don’t give up on your dreams.

Recurring Themes [End of Section] Here are some examples of recurring themes: Never give up on a friend. Unlimited money and power corrupt. A good attitude leads to success.

Things may not always be what they seem. Wishes can have surprising consequences. You should treasure what is good in your life. People can have a strong influence over others. Analyze Theme Your Turn How many times have you read a story or seen a show with these themes?

Things may not always be what they seem. Wishes can have surprising consequences. You should treasure what is good in your life. People can have a strong influence over others. Analyze Theme Your Turn To begin your exploration of themes and recurring themes, look again at the list of themes. Then, think of novels, stories, poems, and plays you have studied or read on your own. Think also of movies, plays, and TV shows you have seen.

Analyze Theme Your Turn With a group of classmates, brainstorm titles of works that reflect those themes. Record your titles in a chart like this one. ThemeTitles Things may not always be what they seem. “Inn of Lost Time” “The Princess and the Frog”

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