1. Theme
In any story

2. What is the relationship between fiction and truth?
Essential Question:
What is the relationship between fiction and truth?

3. The insights about life as demonstrated in a story.
Definition of Theme
The insights about life as demonstrated in a story.

4. The theme is a statement about life, human nature, society
Theme vs. Moral
The theme is a statement about life, human nature, society
The moral is the lesson that can be derived from the story

5. Sample theme statements
If humans do not watch how they tamper with nature, the result may be the end of human existence (Jurassic Park)
William Golding is suggesting that democracy can be more fragile than a dictatorship. (Lord of the Flies)
Sometimes, our own worst enemy can be ourselves. (“The Tell-Tale Heart”)

6. Morals One should not give in to their own paranoid minds.
Humans must treat the earth better or they are going to pay for their abuse.
You can’t judge a book by its cover. (cliché)

7. Principals of Stating Theme
General statements
Do not have to apply to all situations
Should apply to the story, but not refer to characters or specific plot
Must be supported by the story

8. How to create theme statements
Determine the various main ideas in the story
Play around a bit with these ideas and think about what the author is saying about them in the story. Create many statements until you are satisfied with the most accurate one.
Ask yourself: does this statement match the story? Does this statement reflect a truth about life without telling people how to live? Is this an original sentence?

9. For example: “The Tell-Tale Heart”
Main Topics
Theme statements
-insanity
-paranoia
-reality vs. delusion
-murder
-good vs. evil
Oftentimes, insane people believe that they are the most reasonable ones.
If we give in to our paranoia, it can cause us to behave irrationally.
When we allow our delusions to cloud reality, it can have devastating consequences.
?????
Some people have very warped ideas about what is the source of evil.

10. Theme in “The Charmer”
Alone or in a group of up to three, 1) Get 2 pieces of paper and 2 coloured pens from the front 2) On the first paper, draw a T-chart like the one on the white board 3) Brainstorm main ideas/theme statements and write them in chart. Let me check them. 4) Choose the “best” two and write them on the second sheet (clearly)