• The central idea or message of a text– View about life and how people behave– Broad idea/message about life,
society, or human nature• Usually implied (not explicitly stated)• Explores timeless and universal ideas• Differs from the subject or topic of a literary
work in that it is a statement• Subject = topic
– Example: Racism
• Theme = statement/opinion about that topic – Example: Racism is immoral.
What is Theme?
1. Character’s Actions
2. Characters’ feelings
3. What the character(s) learn
4. Thoughts and conversation
An author expresses Theme through…
• Ideas and feelings are naturally expressed through actions
• What does an action "say“?
• How does the action express an idea or theme?
1. Characters’ actions
• Emotions can be stated or implied– How does the character
feel?– How does the character
make us feel?
• What ideas do these feelings or emotions reflect?
2. Characters’ Feelings
• Main character usually illustrates the most important theme of the story
• What does the main character learn in the course of the story?
• What new knowledge or insight is gained?
3. What the character learns
• Authors put words in their character’s mouths only for good reasons.
• The things a person says are frequently on their mind.
• Look for thoughts that are repeated throughout the story.
4. Thoughts and Conversation
• The theme of a work of literature is always a statement… NOT just a word.
• What statement does the author seem to be making about people, society, government, life, etc.?
• Never a question“Is love the most important thing in life?”
^ NOT A THEME ^
“Love is the most important thing in life.”^ A THEME! ^
***Theme Statements***
Example: Romeo and Juliet
• Theme Statement: Long term unresolved conflict between families leads to disaster.
• Proof: The street fight between in the first scene
causes a riot and destruction of property.
The fight between Mercutio and Tybalt leads to their deaths.
Romeo’s banishment for killing Tybalt leads to two suicides, a murder and heart attack.
Proving the Theme Statement• Here is where plot comes in
o What examples from the story prove the theme statement?
o Use specific references and quotes from the text that prove your statement is true.
• You should resolve all conflicts.
• Great sacrifices are made in the name of love.
• Romeo killed Tybalt in revenge for Mercutio’s death.
• Poor decisions are often made impulsively.
• Blind loyalty causes foolish behavior.
Theme Statement? Yes or No
EXIT SLIP
• What is one recurring theme you see in chapter 1-5 of Huck Finn?– Remember, this should be a STATEMENT… not just
one word!
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