1. The Search for Meaning Ms. Cross English 9
Theme
The Search for Meaning
Ms. Cross
English 9

2. What is a Theme?
Theme: Life lesson, meaning, moral, or message about life or human nature that is communicated by a literary work.
In other words…
Theme is what the story teaches readers.

3. A Theme is… A central idea that unifies the entire story
A universal truth
An underlying meaning of the story
A significant statement the author is making about
Society
Human nature
The meaning of human existence

4. Theme
The author will not directly state his or her theme to the reader
Instead, we must find the theme ourselves by investigating the story
To find the theme, we as readers must come to a conclusion, or make a judgment based on reasoning and evidence from the story

5. Theme A theme is not simply one word, it is a sentence.
You don’t have to agree with the theme in order to identify it.
Examples
Money can’t buy happiness.
Don’t judge people based on the surface.
It is better to die free than live under tyranny.

6. Themes in Romeo & Juliet
The power of love
The play begins with love that is so overpowering that it takes over their values, loyalties, and emotions
The inevitability of fate
Connection between love and violence
Their forbidden love causes violence and death

7. Identifying Themes Big World of the Theme.
Themes are not explicit (clearly stated).
Themes are implied.
Themes are bigger than the story.
Big World of the Theme.
Applies to the “Real” World.
Small
World
of the
Story

8. Themes are about the big picture.
NOT “everyone in “The Little Old Lady from Cricket Creek” underestimated Mabel.
NOT “Walter overcame obstacles in ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’”
Think BIGGER.
Find “Real World” advice.
Big World of the Theme.
Applies to the “Real” World.
Small
World
of the
Story

9. Theme Statements
A theme statement is a single sentence that describes an understanding of the overall meaning of a story.
It must be brief, focused, and insightful.
A theme statement is a universal truth and therefore, must not include specific events in the story, character names, places, etc.

10. Characteristics of a Good Theme Statement
Theme must be expressed in a complete sentence. “Love and rejection” is not a theme statement. It is just an indication of the topic of the story. What, in particular, is the author saying about love and rejection?
Theme should describe the general meaning of a story, not specific events, actions, or characters. Do not use names of characters in the story when stating the theme. You should make specific references to the story, however, when providing relevant details and examples to support your theme statement.

11. Characteristics of a Good Theme Statement
The theme must hold true for the story as a whole, not just for part of it. Pay particular attention to the story’s conclusion to make sure that the outcome matches what you believe the theme is.
Avoid using familiar statements or clichés, such as, “honesty is the best policy” to express the theme. The theme should be a generalization about life stated in your own words.

12. Sample Theme Statements
Long held beliefs and values rarely change unless stimulated by a dramatic event.
When torn between two separate worlds, each with its own set of values, individuals must work to find their own true beliefs.
A child’s sense of identity comes from interacting with others. If no positive role model is available, a child may never reach his or her potential.

13. Practice Refer back to the three stories we have read:
“The Little Old Lady from Cricket Creek”
“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”
“The Ruum”
Write what you think an appropriate theme statement would be for each story (three total).
For each theme statement, write another sentence explaining what happens in the story that leads you to believe this.
How does the small world of the story connect to a big world theme?