1. Short Story Unit
6L15
Theme

2. Do now
Read the lyrics to Frankie and Johnny on your desk. We will go over them.

3. What is a theme?
The theme of the story is the author’s message, or what they want you to take away from a story.
Sometimes a theme can be a lesson or moral the author wants us to learn.
It’s important to remember that a theme is a broad statement so it should never include character’s names or actions.
  We become close to characters so that we understand them. This allows us to take a step back from the story and determine theme.

4. theme
In fiction, the theme is not intended to teach but, provide an example of what happens when various events happen to characters.
Theme is not presented directly within a fiction story; you extract it from the story.
In other words, you must figure out the theme yourself.
What comes to your mind when you hear the word “theme”?

5. Did you know that music often tells a story?
Some of the best songwriters are storytellers first!
Songs often have all of the elements of a plot, including conflict, and resolution!
Helpful hint: Topic+Opinion=Theme.

6. We will now listen to “Frankie and Johnny” while thinking of the theme.

7. Determining the Theme
Step one is to retell the main events of the story.
Frankie bought everything for Johnny including a Jaguar.
A friend told Frankie that Johnny was being unfaithful to her with another woman.
Frankie found Johnny with a woman with his arm’s around her waist.
Frankie took a gun out of her purse and shot Johnny
As Johnny died he told Frankie that he loved her and asked her why she shot him.

8. step 2: Point of view
Also, be aware that a theme we determine from a story is not the main idea, but is something that we can take away from it as readers.
First Person
Third Person Limited
only Frankie’s point of view is discussed
Third Person Omniscient

9. Step 3: What is the character’s conflict?
Why?
Person Vs. Person
Johnny is being unfaithful to Frankie
Frankie murders Johnny
Person Vs. Self
Person Vs. Nature
Person Vs. World/Society

10. Step 4: What lesson can I learn from this story? STEP 5:
The topic of the story is…
STEP 6:
The overall theme of the story is__________

11. homework Find a song that tells a story
Go through steps 1-6 for the story.
Make sure you write down steps 1-6
Remember: you are determining the theme