1. Theme: A Story’s Power What Is Theme? Where Does It Say That? Practice
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What Is Theme?
Where Does It Say That?
Practice

2. What Is Theme?
This student has just discovered the theme of the story he’s reading.
“What does it all mean?” We often ask this about stories or novels we read. When we ask this question, we’re thinking about theme.

3. What Is Theme?
The theme of a story is the truth it reveals about life.
Theme gives a story its power.
Friendship can’t be bought.
Never give up, even when you’re faced with terrible odds.
Heroes can be found in unlikely places.

4. What Is Theme? The theme is not the plot.
A young farm boy is offered the chance of a lifetime, but he’s afraid to leave behind his familiar life.
The theme is not the subject.
fear of the big city
The theme is the special message that a reader takes away from a story.
Facing your fears is the only way to overcome them.
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5. Where Does It Say That?
Writers don’t usually state themes directly. They want you to infer themes from
the way the characters change
the discoveries the characters have made by the end of the story

6. Where Does It Say That?
Think about the story “The Tortoise and the Hare.”
How do the characters change?
What do they learn?
How do these questions help you discover the theme?

7. Where Does It Say That?
In the beginning of the story, the rabbit is boastful. After he loses the race to the tortoise, the rabbit learns that being fast is not enough; it is also important to be determined.
The tortoise remains slow and steady throughout the story, and he wins the race. The theme might be “A goal can be reached with slow, steady effort and determination.”

8. Where Does It Say That?
Theme can be supported by the language in a story. Which details of violent weather might a writer use to support the theme “Great passion can be destructive”?
flashing
peaceful
driving rain
gentle breeze
calm and clear
whipping winds
raging storm
crack of thunder
violent
warm sun
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9. Practice
Let’s Try It
1. What kind of person is Midas at the beginning of the story?
King Midas lived in a beautiful palace surrounded by lush and fragrant gardens. Midas had a little daughter whom he loved dearly. But Midas wasn’t a happy king. He ignored the perfume of the roses in the warm summer. He never saw the snow sparkle on the mountains.
What Midas loved most was his treasure room. He spent whole days amid the cobwebs in the dimly lighted room, counting his gold. But no matter how much gold he had, Midas always wanted more.
2. Why isn’t Midas happy?

10. Practice
Let’s Try It
3. Are you surprised at the king’s selfishness? Why or why not?
One day, while Midas was sitting counting his gold, the god Dionysus appeared before him.
“Midas,” the god said, “you need not fear me. I have decided to grant you one wish. What do you want most of all?”
“Gold!” Midas roared. “Let everything I touch turn into gold!”
Dionysus shook his head sadly. “That is unwise,” the god warned. But Midas was firm. “Your wish is granted,” the god said.

11. Practice
Let’s Try It
4. What words does the storyteller use to describe nature?
As Midas walked back to the palace, he picked a dewy, fragrant pink rose for his little daughter. Imagine how startled he was when the green stem changed to hard yellow metal—gold! The rigid gold flower was so heavy that he dropped it.
Midas shouted with delight. Everything he touched turned into gold. The door became gold. The table changed into gold. Midas’s gold frenzy made him very hungry, and he grabbed a loaf of bread. But as he bit into it, the smell and taste of metal sickened him.
5. What words does the storyteller use to describe gold?

12. Practice
On Your Own
Finish reading “The Golden Touch” on page 220 of your textbook. Then, answer these questions:
Which of these themes do you think is revealed in the Midas story?
Gold isn’t everything.
Nothing is as important as love.
Do not ignore wise advice.
Be careful what you wish for.
2. Find at least three words that describe nature and human beings as full of life and beauty. Then, find other words that describe gold as hard and lifeless. How does this use of language help support one of the story’s themes?

13. Theme: A Story’s Power
The End