1. THEME and SYMBOL (Okay, but what does it really mean?)

2. Theme: the message or meaning behind a literary work. It must be stated as a FULL SENTENCE. For example: Good triumphs over evil (Harry Potter). Simple, everyday people can be heroes (The Hobbit). Difficult choices are part of growing up (The Outsiders).

3. What might be the theme of the picture below?

6. Symbol: a person, animal, place, object, or activity that stands for something beyond itself. Colors Red: emotion, anger, passion White: purity, holiness Seasons Spring: new beginning, birth, rebirth Autumn: aging, near death Animals Dove: peace Fox: slyness

7. What might an apple symbolize?

8. What might the moon symbolize?

9. What might a bridge symbolize?

10. NOTE: Many literary works may share a common theme, but the genre of the work affects the way that the theme is revealed to the reader!

11. Theme Across Genres Short Story Characters Conflicts (external and internal) Setting Title Poem Speaker’s thoughts and feelings Words and phrases Key images Stanzas and lines Sound devices (alliteration, repetition, etc.)