1. What is it and how do I find it?
Theme
What is it and
how do I find it?

2. Theme: A definition
The theme in a piece of literature is defined by Literarydevices.net as:
A main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work that may be stated directly or indirectly.
Notice that it says “A”, not “The”
This means that a book or short story can have several themes, each emphasized equally, or in varying degrees.

3. Theme: A clarification
“Main Idea” or “Underlying Meaning”
Clearly one cannot express either of these in a single word or phrase.
To express theme, one needs a SENTENCE.
Examples:
Gatsby: Humans cannot reclaim time.
Crucible: False ideologies are dangerous.
The Art of Racing in the Rain: Plan ahead, but to truly live, you must exist in the moment.

4. Revealing Themes Example: Romeo and Juliet How do we know this?
A major theme in this play is that Hatred is destructive.
How do we know this?
Because of the feud between the two families, SIX people end up dead, most notably, Romeo and Juliet themselves.
That’s pretty destructive.

5. Not so fast there, Tex.
Themes are not always that obvious, in fact, they can be pretty subtle.

6. So, How are Themes built?
Authors have a number of materials they use to reveal theme.
Literary devices:
Motif
Symbol
Events
Structures

7. Building Theme Self-discovery is the main purpose of life.
Motif
Individuality/Voice
Equality
Symbols and Other Structures
The Pear Tree
Janie’s Hair
The Horizon
The Gun
Jody won’t let Janie speak.

8. Last Words
Themes may be major or minor. This is not necessarily an indicator of IMPORTANCE, but of focus.
Major means the theme is focused on more in the text. There are more details which support it.
Minor means less attention is paid to this theme in the text. Fewer details support a minor theme.
The importance of a theme is a separate issue and depends far more on the reader, than on the author.

9. Last Words A theme is NOT:
Advice:
You should never fight with family.
A mere opinion:
Brussel sprouts are icky.
Not a Theme!
Not a Theme!
A theme is the author’s attempt to state a universal truth or life lesson.

10. Self-Actualization is the main purpose of human life.
Theme!
THEME!
THEME!
Self-Actualization is the main purpose of human life.
THEME!
THEME!
Theme!
THEME!
Theme!

11. Journal Entry #3
Thinking over the themes and motifs we have discovered in TEWWG, what do you think the main message (theme) of the book is? Why?