1. Problem:
We are trying to fit our Element Focus into a pre-determined Theme, instead of finding our Theme in our Analysis

2. Where is the Evidence? Structural Element Evidence POV of “HLWE”
Objective, revealing only what is said, offering no insight into backstory or what character is thinking.
The conversation the narrator spotlights is vague, with a clear hidden subtext that the narrator is not sharing with us. The only clear information we get is that the girl says she thinks the hills look like white elephants, and that she does not understand Spanish.
The narrator breaks objectivity when American goes into the bar and notices “reasonable” people. The narrator has chosen to follow the man instead of the woman.
Theme
Having a baby is a hard thing?
Marriages suck?

3. Look at the Element first
Theme?
Narrator is a poor, Af-Am, single mother
She knows and shares the backstory of herself & two of the other characters
She ignores the male guest
She is telling us the story in the time it is occurring.
She shares a desire to be closer to one of her daughters, and has an epiphany moment
She does not tell us Why or How Dee’s dress/demeanor/name changed.

4. What about Setting Theme?
The yard is wavy and swept, with sand and small grooves
The house has no glass in the windows, and has a tin roof
It seems to be set in the 60s or 70s.
There are cows in the yard
Dee wants to take a picture of it
It is like the old house—Dee hated the old house
The yard has an elm, and a breeze that doesn’t come into the house.
The story begins and ends with the yard

5. After Lunch Focus on either
The POV in “A & P
The Setting in “The Guilded Six-Bits”
Gather as much evidence about that ONE element. Make sure you are not shifting to characterization or structure.
Look at your evidence and determine a theme based on that evidence alone.
Be ready to share.