1. Symbolism and Theme

2. Symbolism

3. Symbols
Symbols are concrete objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.
Abstract: Freedom (Intangible: cannot touch freedom)
Concrete: Flag, soaring bird, broken chains (Tangible: can touch these)
“Show, don’t tell”
What does _________ usually symbolize? Let’s brainstorm some abstract concepts:
The color red (fertility, anger, love)
Rain (sadness, renewal, rebirth)
An egg (fertility)
Night (loneliness/solitude, fear)
Mockingbird (innocence)
…Mockingjay? (rebellion, independence)

4. Theme

5. The 5 W’s WHO = Characters WHAT = Conflict WHEN/WHERE = Setting
HOW = Plot
WHY = Theme

6. Theme IS… The author’s central message or idea in a story
Expressed in a sentence-long general statement
Author’s observation about human nature
A message or idea
Found in all literary elements of a story: characters, setting, plot, and conflict
Arguable
Implied; not directly stated
Applicable to multiple texts
Example: Hard work results in success.

7. Theme IS NOT… A moral A lesson Advice A “you” statement
Fortune cookie message
One word
Summary
Example: “Slow and steady wins the race.”

8. Have you read a book with one of these themes?
Persecution of an individual based on race is unjust
Love is transformative
Knowledge is power
Ignorance is weakness
There is beauty in simplicity
Death is unavoidable
Relationships are dependent on sacrifice

9. How to figure out the theme of a fictional story…
What topics
or big ideas
does the
story deal
with?
What is the
author saying
about one of these topics?
Put it into a
theme statement!
BIG IDEAS:
Ambition Love Fear Truth
Jealousy Faith Prejudice Hope
Integrity Loyalty Freedom Sin
Loneliness Duty Suffering Courage
Perseverance Redemption Betrayal (what else?)

10. How to figure out the theme of a fictional story…
What topics
or big ideas
does the
story deal
with?
What is the
author saying
about one of these topics?
Put it into a
theme statement!
Think about:
*Symbols that reoccur *Details that stand out from the rest
*Patterns in the story *The title of the work

11. Example: Little Red Riding Hood
What topics
or big ideas
does the
story deal
with?
What is the
author saying
about one of these topics?
Put it into a
theme statement!
The author
shows that the
wolf is able to
deceive Granny
and Red because they are innocent.
Innocence can lead to deception.
Deception

12. Example: Three Little Pigs
What topics
or big ideas
does the
story deal
with?
What is the
author saying
about one of these topics?
Put it into a
theme statement!
The author shows
that the third pig’s
planning and
choice to build a
brick house was a smart choice.
Good planning leads to success.
Making smart choices

13. What about To Kill a Mockingbird?
What topics
or big ideas
does the
story deal
with?
What is the
author saying
about one of these topics?
Put it into a
theme statement!
Take five minutes with your desk partner to follow these steps and create a theme statement.

14. Possible theme statements:
Courage is about standing up for what’s right even in the face of certain defeat
Innocence is drowned out by prejudice
Assumptions lead to suffering