WHAT IS THEME?

THEME

What is the story's main message?

WHAT IS THEME?

The universal idea, lesson, message, central idea or insight about life or human behavior explored throughout a work of literature.

The themes in stories are universal.

This means that the message in the story applies to people of all cultures.

Universal Themes

• are generalizations about life or human nature.

• deal with basic human concerns—good and evil, life and death, love and loss.

• help with our lives and share our common experiences.

Examples of Universal Themes

• Good Vs Evil

• Birth and Death

• Courage and Perseverance

• Emotions (love, hate, anger, happiness, loneliness, etc.)

• Revenge

A story can have many themes. Themes can be divided into two categories.

• Major

• Minor

Multiple Choice

What is the major theme?

• It is the most significant idea in the work.

• It is the author's opinion about the antagonist.

• it is • an idea that appears in a work briefly.

• It is the place where the story takes place.

Multiple Choice

What is the minor theme?

• It is the most significant idea in the work.

• It is the author's opinion about the antagonist.

• it is • an idea that appears in a work briefly.

• It is the place where the story takes place.

LET'S IDENTIFY UNIVERSAL THEMES

They are messages about life. We learn from universal themes.

Multiple Choice

Match this story to the appropriate universal theme.

The Little Red Hen

• It pays to work hard and plan ahead.

• Appearances can be deceiving.

• Everyone can be happy.

• It is important to be honest.

Multiple Choice

Match this story to the appropriate universal theme.

Beauty and the Beast

• It pays to work hard and plan ahead.

• Appearances can be deceiving.

• Everyone can be happy.

• It is important to be honest.

Multiple Choice

Match this story to the appropriate universal theme.

Pinocchio

• It pays to work hard and plan ahead.

• Appearances can be deceiving.

• Everyone can be happy.

• It is important to be honest.

WHERE IS THE THEME OF THE STORY LOCATED?

Many times the theme of story is not stated. We have to search for it through the characters' thoughts, relationships and experiences.

The theme is not the same thing as the subject

• •The subject is simply the topic. It can be stated in a single word, such as loyalty.

• •The theme makes some revelation about the subject and should be expressed in a sentence: “Loyalty to a leader is not always noble.”

Writers often express theme through what their characters learn.

Do the characters change?

Does the main character learn something new?

Conflict reveals theme.

•What is the conflict, or struggle between opposing forces, that the main character faces?

•How is the conflict resolved?

The title reveals theme.

1. Does the title have a special meaning?

2. Does it point to the theme?

The theme applies to the entire work/story.

Test your statement of the theme. Does it apply to the whole work, not just to parts of it?

Multiple Choice

What is the conflict and how is it resolved?

Because of a feud over a piece of land, Ulrich and Georg are bitter enemies. One night they encounter each other on the disputed land. Each thinks of killing the other. Suddenly a huge tree falls and pins them both under its weight.

At first the men threaten each other. After a while, however, they notice each other’s suffering, make a pact of friendship, and look forward to being rescued and living in peace. Then they are attacked by wolves.

• A tree falls and traps the men, and they escape from under the tree.

• The men feud over a piece of land, but they become friends when they suffer an accident.

• The men try to escape the wolves.

Multiple Choice

What do the men learn?

Because of a feud over a piece of land, Ulrich and Georg are bitter enemies. One night they encounter each other on the disputed land. Each thinks of killing the other. Suddenly a huge tree falls and pins them both under its weight.

At first the men threaten each other. After a while, however, they notice each other’s suffering, make a pact of friendship, and look forward to being rescued and living in peace. Then they are attacked by wolves.

• The men learn that being angry with each other is more important than friendship.

• The men learn that hatred is very powerful.

• Survival is more important than land ownership. Letting go of hatred feels good.

Multiple Choice

What is the theme?

Because of a feud over a piece of land, Ulrich and Georg are bitter enemies. One night they encounter each other on the disputed land. Each thinks of killing the other. Suddenly a huge tree falls and pins them both under its weight.

At first the men threaten each other. After a while, however, they notice each other’s suffering, make a pact of friendship, and look forward to being rescued and living in peace. Then they are attacked by wolves.

• Bad things happen to bad people.

• Enemies can never become friends.

• If you wait until tragedy strikes to make peace with your enemies, you may not be able to enjoy the rewards of forgiveness.

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of this story?

• It is better to take your time and do it right then to rush and fail.

• Don't be lazy.

• Our friends are always there for us.

• Turtles are faster than rabbits.

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of this story?

• Don't be lazy.

• Have as much fun as possible before you die.

• Don't steal.

• Look before you leap.

Multiple Choice

What is the theme of this story?

• Eat your vegetables.

• Don't brag.

• Don't talk to strangers.

• Necessity is the mother of invention.

HOW TO WRITE A THEME

What is your opinion about the subject?

There is no single way to state the theme.

•People may express the same theme in different words.

•There may be different opinions about what the main theme is.

•The most meaningful literary works often have more than one theme.

Don’t accept a story’s theme as valid just because the story is in print. Instead, ask yourself:

•Is this story’s view of life too simplistic? Too idealistic? Too cynical?

•Is the writer trying to push an idea that does not reflect real life?

Decided if the following themes are valid (good/reasonable/true to life) or invalid (bad/unreasonable).

• Is the theme true to life?

• Is the theme to simplistic and unrealistic?

Multiple Select

True love solves all of life’s problems.

• not valid

  (too idealistic)

• valid

  (true to life)

Multiple Select

People who have a lot of money or power are sometimes greedy for more.

• not valid

  (too idealistic)

• valid

  (true to life)

Multiple Select

People who do good deeds will be happy and will not suffer.

• not valid

  (too idealistic)

• valid

  (true to life)

Function of Theme

• To show (exhibit) universal trues for people of all cultures.

• To give readers an insight into how the world works.

• To bind the story's essential (important) elements.