1. Unit 1 Theme Transcending Literature
English 9 – Ms. Mills

2. Table of Contents
Introduction to Theme – Cornell Notes Practice Finding the Theme – Assessment Task 1-read short stories, objective summary and determine theme. Task 2-create graphic organizer: introduce, develop, & refine. Task 3-research a theme’s transcendence. Task 4-write an essay explaining how your theme transcends. FINAL TASK-group presentation: movie trailer.

3. Where We’re Headed Reading Read 3 short stories and for each one:
determine the theme.
write an objective summary.
track the development of the theme using a graphic organizer.
write a theme paragraph.

4. “The Necklace” Objective Summary Theme Statement Graphic Organizer Theme Paragraph

5. As you read… Think about what the topic or theme might be.
What can we learn from the story?
What can we infer from the actions of the characters and the plot?
How can what we learned from this story apply to the REAL world?
Where is the theme introduced, developed, and refined?

6. After you read… Write: One paragraph Objective SUMMARY
A THEME Statement (not a topic subject!)

7. “The Necklace”
"The Necklace" is a short story by French writer Guy de Maupassant. It is known for its twist ending, which was a hallmark of de Maupassant's style. The story was first published on February 17, 1884.

8. “The Necklace” Objective Summary Theme Statement
Write:
One paragraph objective SUMMARY
Make sure you state the facts about the following:
Setting
Character(s) and Point of View
Conflict and Resolution
A THEME Statement
(not a topic or subject!)

9. “The Necklace” Graphic Organizer
In groups of 2-3, create a graphic organizer that depicts the development of a theme from “The Necklace”.
Be creative when designing your graphic organizer and when depicting the development of theme. Feel free to incorporate visuals, graphics, etc.
Your graphic organizer must answer the following questions and include quotes (concrete details/CD) and analysis of such details (commentary/CM):
Where is the theme introduced? 1 Quote/concrete detail + 2 CM
Where is the theme developed? 1Quote/ concrete detail + 2CM
Where is the theme refined? 1 Quote/concrete detail + 2CM
Where is the theme introduced, developed, and refined?

10. Title of Story Theme Statement Introduced Developed Refined
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD introduces the theme
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD develops the theme
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD refines the theme

11. “The Necklace”
Do not focus on money and appearance because you won’t appreciate what is in front of you.
Introduced
Developed
Refined
“Aha, a good homemade beef stew! There’s nothing better…" she would visualize elegant dinners with gleaming silver amid tapestried walls peopled by knights and ladies and exotic birds in a fairy forest” (609).
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
Mathilde is causing herself unnecessary grief by only focusing on a fantasy lifestyle. Mathilde is foolish to not appreciate the good meal and loving husband that’s right in front of her.
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD develops the theme
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD refines the theme

12. “The Necklace” Theme Paragraph
Instructions: Use your theme statement and analyze its development over the course of the short story using the information from your graphic organizer.

13. Theme Paragraph - TEMPLET
A theme in “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant is _______________ _____________________________________. For example, the author introduces the theme by writing, “________________________________” (de Maupassant #). CM:____________________________. CM________________________________ . The author also develops the theme by stating , “__________” (de Maupassant #). CM_____________________________. CM________________________________. The author also refines the theme by writing, “____________” (de Maupassant #). CM_____________________________. CM________________________________. CS _________________________________________________________________. CD = Concrete Detail (Direct quotes from text) CM = Commentary (How the CD shows/represents/proves the theme) Sentence starter for Commentary: This shows… or This is evidence of… CS = Concluding Sentence

14. Theme Paragraph – MLA format

15. “The Scarlet Ibis” Objective Summary Theme Statement Graphic Organizer Theme Paragraph

16. As you read… Think about what the topic or theme might be.
What can we learn from the story?
What can we infer from the actions of the characters and the plot?
How can what we learned from this story apply to the BIG world?
Where is the theme introduced, developed, and refined?

17. After you read… Write: One paragraph Objective SUMMARY
A THEME Statement (not a topic subject!)

18. “The Scarlet Ibis”
James Hurst was born June 1, 1922, near Jacksonville, North Carolina. He attended Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, Georgia and studied chemical engineering at North Carolina State College. However, following military service in World War II, he decided to be an opera singer and studied at the Juilliard School of Music in New York. In 1951, Hurst abandoned his musical career and became a banker in New York for the next thirty-four years. He wrote plays and short stories in his spare time. "The Scarlet Ibis" was his only literary work that gained widespread recognition. James Hurst died in Jacksonville, North Carolina, on October 24, 2013, at the age of 91.

19. “The Scarlet Ibis” Objective Summary Theme Statement
Write:
One paragraph objective SUMMARY
Make sure you state the facts about the following:
Setting
Character(s) and Point of View
Conflict and Resolution
A THEME Statement
(not a topic or subject!)

20. “The Scarlet Ibis” Graphic Organizer
In groups of 2-3, create a graphic organizer that depicts the development of a theme from “The Scarlet Ibis”.
Be creative when designing your graphic organizer and when depicting the development of theme. Feel free to incorporate visuals, graphics, etc.
Your graphic organizer must answer the following questions and include quotes (concrete details/CD) and analysis of such details (commentary/CM):
Where is the theme introduced? 1 Quote/concrete detail + 2 CM
Where is the theme developed? 1Quote/ concrete detail + 2CM
Where is the theme refined? 1 Quote/concrete detail + 2CM
Where is the theme introduced, developed, and refined?

21. Title of Story Theme Statement Introduced Developed Refined
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD introduces the theme
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD develops the theme
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD refines the theme

22. “The Scarlet Ibis”
Forcing people to be something they are not can lead to terrible consequences.
Introduced
Developed
Refined
“…I wanted more than anything else someone to race to Horsehead Landing, someone to box with, and someone to perch with in the top fork of the great pine behind the barn…” (Hurst 555).
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD develops the theme
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD refines the theme
The narrator believes his life would be ideal without a brother who is physically disabled. His desire to have a “normal” brother made him actually contemplate killing his little brother. He wanted a brother that would not make him feel ashamed.

23. “The Scarlet Ibis” Theme Paragraph
Instructions: Use your theme statement and analyze its development over the course of the short story using the information from your graphic organizer.

24. CM_____________________________. CM________________________________.
Theme Paragraph - TEMPLET
A theme in “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst is ____________________ _____________________________________. For example, the author introduces the theme by writing, “________________________________________” (Hurst #). CM:____________________________. CM________________________________ .
The author also develops the theme by stating , “__________________” (Hurst #).
CM_____________________________. CM________________________________. The author also refines the theme by writing, “____________________” (Hurst #).
CM_____________________________. CM________________________________.
CS _________________________________________________________________.
CD = Concrete Detail (Direct quotes from text)
CM = Commentary (How the CD shows/represents/proves the theme)
Sentence starter for Commentary: This shows… or This is evidence of…
CS = Concluding Sentence

25. Theme Paragraph – MLA format

26. “The Gift of the Magi” Objective Summary Theme Statement Graphic Organizer Theme Paragraph

27. As you read… Think about what the topic or theme might be.
What can we learn from the story?
What can we infer from the actions of the characters and the plot?
How can what we learned from this story apply to the BIG world?
Where is the theme introduced, developed, and refined?

28. After you read… Write: One paragraph Objective SUMMARY
A THEME Statement (not a topic subject!)

29. “The Gift of the Magi”
"The Gift of the Magi" is a short story, written by O. Henry (William Sydney Porter), about a young married couple and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with very little money. The story was initially published in The New York Sunday World on December 10, 1905.

30. “The Gift of the Magi” Objective Summary Theme Statement
Write:
One paragraph objective SUMMARY
Make sure you state the facts about the following:
Setting
Character(s) and Point of View
Conflict and Resolution
A THEME Statement
(not a topic or subject!)

31. “The Gift of the Magi” Graphic Organizer
In groups of 2-3, create a graphic organizer that depicts the development of a theme from “The Gift of the Magi”.
Be creative when designing your graphic organizer and when depicting the development of theme. Feel free to incorporate visuals, graphics, etc.
Your graphic organizer must answer the following questions and include quotes (concrete details/CD) and analysis of such details (commentary/CM):
Where is the theme introduced? 1 Quote/concrete detail + 2 CM
Where is the theme developed? 1Quote/ concrete detail + 2CM
Where is the theme refined? 1 Quote/concrete detail + 2CM
Where is the theme introduced, developed, and refined?

32. Title of Story Theme Statement Introduced Developed Refined
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD introduces the theme
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD develops the theme
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD refines the theme

33. “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry
Great sacrifices are worth it for the people you love.
Introduced
Developed
Refined
“Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn carpet” (526).
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
This shows how hard it was for Della to give up her hair. She cried about losing her hair but decided to sell it to get a gift for her husband whom she loved very much.
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD develops the theme
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD refines the theme

34. “The Gift of the Magi” Theme Paragraph
Instructions: Use your theme statement and analyze its development over the course of the short story using the information from your graphic organizer.

35. Theme Paragraph - TEMPLET
A theme in “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry is _________________________ _______________________________________. For example, the author introduces the theme by writing, “__________________________________________________” (Henry #). CM:________________________________. CM_____________________________________ . The author also develops the theme by stating , “_________________________” (Henry #). CM_________________________________. CM_____________________________________. The author also refines the theme by writing, “___________________________” (Henry #). CM_________________________________. CM_____________________________________. CS __________________________________________________________________________. CD = Concrete Detail (Direct quotes from text) CM = Commentary (How the CD shows/represents/proves the theme) Sentence starter for Commentary: This shows… or This is evidence of… CS = Concluding Sentence

36. Theme Paragraph – MLA format

37. “The Most Dangerous Game” Objective Summary Theme Statement Graphic Organizer Theme Paragraph

38. As you read… Think about what the topic or theme might be.
What can we learn from the story?
What can we infer from the actions of the characters and the plot?
How can what we learned from this story apply to the BIG world?
Where is the theme introduced, developed, and refined?

39. After you read… Write: One paragraph Objective SUMMARY
A THEME Statement (not a topic subject!)

40. “The Most Dangerous Game”
"The Most Dangerous Game", is a short story by Richard Connell, first published in Collier's on January 19, The story features a big-game hunter from New York who falls off a yacht and swims to an isolated island in the Caribbean, where he is hunted by a Russian aristocrat. 

41. “The Most Dangerous Game” Objective Summary Theme Statement
Write:
One paragraph objective SUMMARY
Make sure you state the facts about the following:
Setting
Character(s) and Point of View
Conflict and Resolution
A THEME Statement
(not a topic or subject!)

42. “The Most Dangerous Game” Graphic Organizer
In groups of 2-3, create a graphic organizer that depicts the development of a theme from “The Most Dangerous Game”.
Be creative when designing your graphic organizer and when depicting the development of theme. Feel free to incorporate visuals, graphics, etc.
Your graphic organizer must answer the following questions and include quotes (concrete details/CD) and analysis of such details (commentary/CM):
Where is the theme introduced? 1 Quote/concrete detail + 2 CM
Where is the theme developed? 1Quote/ concrete detail + 2CM
Where is the theme refined? 1 Quote/concrete detail + 2CM
Where is the theme introduced, developed, and refined?

43. Title of the Story Theme Statement Introduced Developed Refined
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD introduces the theme
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD develops the theme
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD refines the theme

44. The Most Dangerous Game
Introduced
Developed
Refined
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
1 Concrete Detail (CD)
Quote with Page #
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD introduces the theme
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD develops the theme
2 Commentary (CM)
Explanation of how the CD refines the theme

45. “The Most Dangerous Game” Theme Paragraph
Instructions: Use your theme statement and analyze its development over the course of the short story using the information from your graphic organizer.

46. Theme Paragraph - TEMPLET
A theme in “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell is _____________ _______________________________________. For example, the author introduces the theme by writing, “__________________________________________________” (Connell #). CM:________________________________. CM_____________________________________ . The author also develops the theme by stating , “_________________________” (Connell #). CM_________________________________. CM_____________________________________. The author also refines the theme by writing, “___________________________” (Connell #). CM_________________________________. CM_____________________________________. CS __________________________________________________________________________. CD = Concrete Detail (Direct quotes from text) CM = Commentary (How the CD shows/represents/proves the theme) Sentence starter for Commentary: This shows… or This is evidence of… CS = Concluding Sentence