1. Theme
Notes

2. What’s a theme?
Theme: a central, underlying and controlling idea of a literary work.
As an abstract concept it may be represented by:
Character
Actions
Images
It’s generalization about human conduct may be serious or comic, profound or unsurprising.
The theme is implied (the story will not say “And the theme is…”)

3. Huh?
A theme is a phrase that summarizes the underlying meaning of the story AND a lot of other stories (including books, plays, movies etc).

4. An example theme: Perseverance leads to the accomplishment of a goal.
Here are at least 3 stories this theme applies to…

5. Perseverance leads to the accomplishment of a goal.
Finding Nemo
Goal:
Marlin & Dory’s goal was to find Nemo
Perseverance:
Despite all of the dangerous encounters and moments of despair, they kept looking
Accomplishment:
(spoiler alert) They find Nemo

6. Perseverance leads to the accomplishment of a goal.
The Hunger Games
Goal:
Katniss needs to survive in the arena in order to live
Perseverance:
Katniss must fight others and elements (weather, hunger etc)
Accomplishment:
She survives and is taken back to the real world

7. Perseverance leads to the accomplishment of a goal.
Frozen
Goal:
Find Elsa and bring her home so it is not winter forever
Perseverance:
Anna, Olaf and friends battle bad weather and becoming frozen to save Elsa so she can unfreeze their home
Accomplishment:
Anna helps Elsa realize love will unfreeze the town

8. Perseverance leads to the accomplishment of a goal.
This is a theme because it is phrase that summarizes the underlying meaning of Finding Nemo, The Hunger Games, Frozen…AND a lot of other stories!

9. IMPORTANT: A theme is an entire sentence! A theme is NOT 1 word
A fragment
Do not include details from a story
Character names, setting, specific quotes etc.

10. But…Sparknotes? Shmoop?
One word/short phrases a thematic topic
Topic=1 word.
Theme=full sentence
These topics can help you determine the FULL SENTENCE theme
Example themes for the topic of: RACE
Racism is learned so it can also be unlearned.
Children are able to see the personality of someone, not just their race.

11. Practice: Why are the following NOT themes in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Jem and Scout realize racism is bad.
Race.

12. Answers: Why are the following NOT themes in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Jem and Scout realize racism is bad.
Do not include details from a story
Jem and Scout are names that are specific to To Kill a Mockingbird
Race.
This is a topic. A theme must be an entire sentence.

13. What could be a theme in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Pick one of these thematic topics to write an entire theme that applies to To Kill a Mockingbird:
Social Inequality
Morals
Education
Friendship
Community
The law

14. Themes in Short Stories

15. Themes in “Helen on 86th St.”
What is a theme of “Helen on 86th St?”
You may consider the following topics…
Family
Hatred
Jealousy
Accomplishment
Goal
Independence

16. Themes in “Rights to the Streets of Memphis”
Poverty
Independence
Coming of Age
As a group, come up with a well- worded thematic statement.

17. Themes in “Marigolds” Innocence Poverty Maturity Beauty
On your own, come up with a fitting thematic statement.

18. Example Themes in Marigolds
One cannot have both innocence and compassion.
One must lose ones innocence in order to truly see the world.
Everyone needs hope in order to survive.

19. Thematic Statement Practice
With your group, come up with 5 easily recognizable children’s stories and/or commonly seen movies.
Discuss the plot
Come up with a thematic statement for each
Explain how your thematic statement fits each story
Choose one story and write it’s title and thematic statement on a card. Decorate/illustrate the card.