What is THEME? In any piece of writing—a story, novel, poem, or essay—the writer addresses a subject about the human experience such as… death, love, youth, learning, grief, setting goals, desire, tragedy, loneliness, faith, hope, human kindness, dependence on technology, destruction of nature, war, childhood, guilt, joy death, love, youth, learning, grief, setting goals, desire, tragedy, loneliness, faith, hope, human kindness, dependence on technology, destruction of nature, war, childhood, guilt, joy

A THEME statement gets a little more specific. It describes what in particular the writer is saying about an aspect of being human or human behavior.

Examples of thematic statements Knowledge can be used for destructive ends. Knowledge can be used for destructive ends. For the benefit of society, sometimes an individual’s needs must be sacrificed. For the benefit of society, sometimes an individual’s needs must be sacrificed. Sometimes we realize what we dreamed of for our future is not what’s best for us. Sometimes we realize what we dreamed of for our future is not what’s best for us. Falling in love can often repair the emotional damages people have suffered in the past. Falling in love can often repair the emotional damages people have suffered in the past. Through loneliness we often gain a greater understanding of ourselves. Through loneliness we often gain a greater understanding of ourselves. When under pressure, people often make choices that can have long-lasting and painful consequences. When under pressure, people often make choices that can have long-lasting and painful consequences.

Theme is NOT… a summary of the plot about the specific characters in the story our personal opinion of a story

Theme is NOT… always a lesson, moral, or piece of advice about life This kind of theme applies more to a lot of kids’ books—where the writer’s purpose is to teach children a lesson.

Theme is NOT… always a lesson In English III, we’re reading college prep/adult literature. Often, writers make observations about dark sides of human behavior or the difficulties of life. So in this class resist always thinking a theme statement should start with… People should always ___________ Don’t _______________ Always remember to _______________

Theme is TRICKIER with more adult fiction Sophisticated and skillful writers don’t do this with their writing: As readers we must be Sherlock-esque and look closely at the story, the characters’ actions and dialogue, and—of course— the ending and do some heavy duty thinking to determine a work’s theme. AUTHOR THEME

Example: Star Wars (Episode IV) What is a central theme of Star Wars: A New Hope? WRONG ANSWER: A central theme of Star Wars is Luke Skywalker trying to rescue Princess Leia and blow up the Death Star. THIS IS PLOT—NOT THEME! AAAGHHH!

Example: Frozen What is a central theme of the film Frozen? WEAK ANSWERS: A central theme of the film Frozen is the idea that we all have strengths and weaknesses. A central theme of the film Frozen is the idea that sisters face challenges. universal When writing a theme statement, we want to think in terms of the universal— what does this story have to say about all of us (or at least most of us)? Millions of people don’t have sisters. However, most people do have family members of some kind.

Example: Star Wars (Episode IV) What is a central theme of Star Wars: A New Hope? POSSIBLE STRONG ANSWER: A central theme of Star Wars is the idea that defeating evil often requires the commitment of a community and not just one person. Oh, that’s good!

Example: Frozen What is a central theme of Frozen? POSSIBLE STRONG ANSWER: A central theme of Frozen is the idea that healthy family relationships often require us to be honest about our personal weaknesses and to make sacrifices that benefit others.

What’s important about a CENTRAL Theme? Think about a party that has a theme.

Many items at the party will connect to the CENTRAL theme.

What’s important about a CENTRAL Theme? A CENTRAL theme can be applied to the story as a whole—including the ending. A theme that applies only to one moment in the plot or a single paragraph is not a CENTRAL theme.

A story’s ENDING is very important when figuring out the CENTRAL theme. If at the end of Star Wars, Princess Leia fell in love with Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker’s x-wing fighter got zapped, and the Rebels failed to blow up the Death Star …the story would have a very different central theme.

A story’s ENDING is very important when figuring out the CENTRAL theme. If Frozen ended with Anna as a dead piece of ice, then the movie has a different—and much darker— central theme.

Theme Practice Let’s go back to “Three Soldiers,” the first story in our packet. What is a central theme of the story? life subjects 1)What are some life subjects addressed in the story “Three Soldiers”? Brainstorm and list some. 2)war, traumatic experiences, guilt, sense of duty, death, painful memories, etc. What does this particular story have to say about the subject of traumatic experiences? 3)Let’s say we settle in on the subject of traumatic experiences. Now we want to think about the story as a whole, including the ending, and determine the following: What does this particular story have to say about the subject of traumatic experiences?

Theme Practice Sentence Starter: The central theme of the short story “(story’s title)” by (author’s name) is the idea that (people often) / (we sometimes)… Another Sentence Starter Option: In (author name’s) short story (“story’s title”,) he/she express the idea that … Always include the text’s genre. choose one of these options