1. Theme
Literary Analysis

2. theme
Definition: the author’s message or perspective about a given topic that is presented through his or her work (typically books, movies, or music)

3. It is not simply the main idea of the piece, but a universal message that can be understood by anyone on the planet rather than someone who has read that specific book

4. Number the Stars
Main Idea: The Johansen family helps the Rosen family and many other jews escape from Nazi captivity
Theme: we should live in a world where human decency exists

5. Green Eggs and Ham
Main Idea: everyone except Sam wants to eat green eggs and ham, no matter the location
Theme: have an open mind

7. Main Idea: Girls think Charlie Brown is not good enough to marry
Theme: some people will not win
              

8. Remember that a theme is an idea that the author returns to time and time again

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10. How do we “get” the theme?
through feelings of the main character
characters’ thoughts and conversations
what characters learn
actions or events

11. main character
Themes are expressed and emphasized by the way the author makes us feel. By sharing feelings, thoughts, and conversations of the main character you also share the ideas that go through his or her mind.

12. Number the Stars Annemarie Johansen:
Annemarie’s dad says, “The Nazis plan to arrest the Danish Jews. They plan to take them away. And we have been told that they may come tonight.”
Annemarie replies, “I don’t understand! Take them where?”
Annemarie is stunned. She looks at Ellen and sees that her best friend is crying silently. She then says that their family must help the Rosens.

13. Number the Stars
Later in the novel, Annemarie and her family help the Rosens escape to Sweden. By writing a novel about one family’s efforts to help others, especially in life or death circumstances, Lois Lowry shows her readers that she values life and wants a world where people are decent to one another.

14. Works Cited http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theme_(literary
Lowry, Lois. Number the Stars. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1989.