1. What is a Theme? Theme: 1. Topic, main idea 2. Life lesson, meaning, moral, or message about life or human nature that is communicated by a literary work Themes can be words, phrases, or sentences.

2. Big World of the Theme. Applies to the “Real” World. Identifying Themes Themes are not explicit (clearly stated). Themes are implied. Themes go beyond the story. Small World of the Story

3. Readers use clues in the story (characters, setting, plot events, conflict, etc.) to discover a theme. Decide what the main topics of the story are. Some examples:  F RIENDSHIP, C OURAGE, H OPE, T RUST, J USTICE, V IOLENCE, R ACE - RELATIONS, L OVE, F REEDOM, C HILDHOOD, S URVIVAL, G ROWING UP, F AMILY Although a story may include several of the main topics, choose the ones you think are most important. Go back to the story and identify which clues support that these are the main topics. Using the topics and the evidence that you have to support them, decide what important message the author is communicating.  For example, if we are reading a text in which friendship and courage are the main topics, using evidence from the story, we might guess that the theme is, “Friendship can give you the courage to overcome things that you were once too scared to try.” Steps for Determining Themes

4. Steps for Writing about Themes Begin by defining and describing the theme in general. Explain how it applies/functions in the “real world”. Provide specific examples showing how the theme is apparent in the novel. Find quotations proving that the theme is important in the novel (quotations do not need to explicitly state the theme). Explain how particular literary devices develop the theme throughout the novel (characters, setting, plot events, conflict, symbols, imagery, etc.).

5. DEFINITION/DESCRIPTION: NATURAL CONNECTION TO PARENTS World Lit. 2 Prep. Theme: Child’s Bond with a Parent

6. DEFINITION/DESCRIPTION: POWER IS STRONG INFLUENCE OR CONTROL OVER SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. POWER CAN BE MAINTAINED BY PLANTING A SEED OF FEAR IN THOSE WHICH POWER IS FORCED ON. IF THEY FEAR THE PERSON IN POWER FOR ANY REASON, THEY WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO PLEASE THAT PERSON IN POWER. World Lit. 2 Prep. Theme: Power