What Is Theme? Discovering a Theme Stating a Theme Practice Theme Feature Menu

What Is Theme? A work’s theme is the central idea about human life. Many elements contribute to a work’s theme. Theme settingconflictcharactersplot Note

What Is Theme? The theme: reveals the writer’s personal attitude toward the world and the people in it may give readers insight into life and human nature or help them realize the importance of what they already know

Identifying the Theme The theme will always be a statement of some kind, not a single word. Example Theme: “Sometimes if you love someone, you have to let them go and give them their freedom. Love is not possessive.” NOT “Love” and “Freedom”

A work’s theme is sometimes confused with its What isn’t a Theme subject—what the story is about plot—the events of the story moral—the rule of conduct that the story teachesmoral These parts of a story are important, but they are not its theme.

What Is Theme? Identify each item as one of the following: subject plot moral theme Three siblings go swimming in a creek even though their grandfather warns them not to. One sibling is almost swept away by the current. The story of a dangerous swim Young people’s overconfidence can put them in danger; young people often learn a lesson the hard way. [End of Section] Quick Check Listen to your elders.

Three siblings go swimming in a creek even though their grandfather warns them not to. One sibling is almost swept away by the current. What Is Theme? Quick Check Identify each item as one of the following: subject plot moral theme The story of a dangerous swim Young people’s overconfidence can put them in danger; young people often learn a lesson the hard way. Listen to your elders. moral plot subject theme

Discovering a Theme Usually, the author does not say what the theme is directly. You must INFER what the theme is. Think about the title. Pay attention to story’s conflict and how it is resolved. Think about what the protagonist learns. If the protagonist realizes something important about life at the end of the story, that is probably the theme of the story.

Apply your knowledge to a story you know. Practice “The Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket” What does the title mean? How does the main character change? How is the conflict resolved? What, in general, does the story reveals about life? What is the story’s theme? [End of Section]

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What Is Theme? Note Themes are important to all forms of literature. Similar themes can often be found in different genres—in stories, novels, plays, poems, and even in nonfiction.

Moral It is a mistake to reduce a theme to a simple moral or a cliché, such as “Be true to yourself.” Themes are usually more complex and original revelations about life. What Is Theme? When trying to discover a work’s theme, readers should ask themselves, “What does this work reveal?” rather than “What does this work teach?”

Stating a Theme Complete sentence A theme must be a statement about the subject of the work rather a phrase. The story reveals that people often make unwise sacrifices to win the love of others. making sacrifices for loveIncorrect Correct

Stating a Theme Generalization Themes are stated as generalizations because they apply to more than one situation. In fact, many themes are universal. They apply to people everywhere because people all over the world have common desires, needs, and experiences.

Stating a Theme Note There is no single way to state a theme. Your statement of theme may be different from your classmates’ themes.