1. “The Man in the Well” and “The Fly”
THEMES
“The Man in the Well” and “The Fly”

2. + = THEME What is a central idea from the selection?
How to Identify a Theme
A central idea is a major topic from the entire story—something that the author emphasizes throughout the text.
What is a central idea from the selection?
What does the piece say about that idea? + =
THEME

3. = + = + THEME What is a central idea from the selection?
EXAMPLE FROM THE OUTSIDERS = +
THEME
What is a central idea from the selection?
What does the piece say about that idea? = +
Pony changes his perceptions of people as he learns more about them.
Familiarity alters perceptions.
perceptions
A theme is not a word. It’s a statement.

4. = + = + THEME What is a central idea from the selection?
EXAMPLE FROM THE OUTSIDERS = +
THEME
What is a central idea from the selection?
What does the piece say about that idea? = +
Socs and greasers with broken homes struggle socially.
Broken homes negatively affect children’s relationships.
Kids’ home lives
A theme is not a word. It’s a statement.

5. = + = + THEME What is a central idea from the selection?
EXAMPLE FROM THE OUTSIDERS = +
THEME
What is a central idea from the selection?
What does the piece say about that idea? = +
Greasers remain loyal to each other in the face of danger
Loyalty is badge of honor among friends.
loyalty
A theme is not a word. It’s a statement.

6. NOTICE: loyalty A theme is not a word. It’s a statement.
Loyalty is badge of honor among friends.
loyalty
central idea Theme

7. = + = + THEME What is a central idea from the selection?
EXAMPLE FROM “The Man in the Well” = +
THEME
What is a central idea from the selection?
What does the piece say about that idea? = +
Helplessness can lead to suffering.
The man was helpless in the well and faced suffereing.
helplesness
Wait a second! Couldn’t we say that theme applies to Woodifield too? How about the fly? This means that this is a CROSS-TEXT THEME. It’s a theme that applies across two texts!

8. = + = + THEME What is a central idea from the selection?
EXAMPLE FROM “The Man in the Well” = +
THEME
What is a central idea from the selection?
What does the piece say about that idea? = +
The narrator chooses not to go back to the well where a man likely died.
People handle death in different ways.
death
Wait a second! Couldn’t we say that theme applies to Woodifield too? How about the boss? This means that this is a CROSS-TEXT THEME. It’s a theme that applies across two texts!

9. + = Cross Text Theme for “The Man in the Well” and “The Fly”
What is a central idea from the selections?
What do the pieces say about that idea?
CROSS-TEXT THEME + =
The children from “The Man in the Well” and the boss from “The Fly” are cruel when in a position of power.
Power can lead to cruelty.
power
(Maybe this does connect with the whole Hitler and World War II and Holocaust thing…hmmmm.)

10. On the next page you’ll see your writing activity for the day
On the next page you’ll see your writing activity for the day. You will turn in what you have completed at the end of the hour. You’ll be including several different concepts we’ve learned this year including formatting, writing structure, and careful/repeated proofreading. This is an impromptu writing piece which means it’s given to you unannounced and on the spot. You demonstrate what you can do in the time given. Budget your time accordingly.
This is called a cross-text response. It is a little different than a formal essay because you will not have an introduction and conclusion.
Text 1
“The Man in the Well”
Text 2
“The Fly”
A cross-text response proves a statement that is common across two texts.

11. Impromptu Writing Task
In Microsoft Word, you are to create a two-paragraph response proving the following cross-text theme: Power can lead to cruelty.
Note:
Spell characters’ names correctly.
Use quotation marks for short story titles.
When citing a short story provide the author’s last name, a comma, and paragraph number.
Example (Sher, par. 5)
* At the end of the hour, save your file to your folder, and then drop it into my Drop Folder.
Here’s how to structure your cross-text theme response:
MLA (12 font/Times New Roman/Double Space)
Name
Teacher’s Name
Class Title
Date
Title
Indented Paragraph one:
-Provide your thesis statement: A common theme for both “The Man in the Well” and “The Fly” is power can lead to cruelty.
-Provide a one-sentence summary of story #1.
-Provide context, supporting quotation, and commentary proving the theme.
Indented Paragraph two:
-Provide a one-sentence summary of story #2.
This is a challenge—let’s see what you can do!