7th Grade Theme

7th Grade Theme

by Lacy McAllister

​Themes

AKA-Central message- it is an important part of understanding literature. The theme is the underlying meaning or message of a work of literature. it is the idea about life that is revealed through some aspect of the story. When looking for a literary theme, consider how the main character changes or learns an important lesson in the course of the story. Other important ideas to consider: title and important passages in the work.

​Examples of Themes

​Theme: Good always wins over evil Work: The Chronicles of Narnia

​Theme: Power corrupts Work: Animal Farm

​Theme: War forces men to change Work: The Things They Carried

​Theme: Nature works by its own set Work: The Old Man and the Sea

​of laws

​Theme: Individuals must think for Work: Ender's Game

​themselves

​Theme

​It is not stated directly, but must be inferred or figured out by the reader. There are sometimes ideas that are important but not large enough to be considered a theme. They would be called topics instead. Theme and central idea are NOT the same. The theme will present a message or lesson, but a central idea is simply the subject of work addresses in some way.

​The Dog and the Shadow- Aesop's Fables

​It happened that a dog got a piece of meat and was carrying it home in his mouth to eat it in peace. Now, on his way home, he had to cross a plank lying across a running brook. As he crossed, he looked down and saw his own shadow reflected in the water beneath. Thinking it was another dog with another piece of meat, he made up his mind to get that dog's meat also. So he snapped at the dog in the water, but as he opened his mouth, the piece of meat fell out. It fell into the water and was never seen again.

​Theme: When you are greedy, you can lose everything. The central idea, on the other hand, might be the simple fact that dogs will try to accumulate all the food they can.

Multiple Choice

A Peasant found an Eagle captured in a trap, and much admiring the bird, set him free.  The Eagle did not prove ungrateful to his deliverer, for seeing the Peasant sitting under a wall which was not safe, he flew toward him and with his talons snatched a bundle from his head.  When the Peasant rose in pursuit, the Eagle let the bundle fall again.  Taking it up, the man returned to the same place, to find that the wall under which he had been sitting had fallen to pieces; and he marveled at the service rendered him by the Eagle.- The Peasant and the Eagle

Thine outstretched leaves protect my fragile nest

Thine massive arms hold me secure as I rest

Thank you mighty oak for all that you do for me

For I am grateful for your strength and hospitality- The Mighty Oak Tree   What theme do the two passages share?

• People will be rewarded when they are grateful.

• People should be grateful for what they have.

• People should show gratitude to those who protect them from harm.

• People should not sit under the walls and climb in trees.

Multiple Choice

He had had a nice, good, idle time all the while- plenty of company- and the fence had three coats of whitewash on it! If he hadn't run out of whitewash he would have bankrupted every boy in the village.

Tom said to himself that it was not such a hollow world, after all. He had discovered a great law of human action, without knowing it- namely, that in order to make a man or a boy covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain. Which statement BEST describes the theme of this passage?

• A fence can have too much whitewash on it.

• People can be easily fooled by a child.

• People want what they cannot have.

• The world is not hollow.

Multiple Choice

A Lamb was perched up on the top of a house.  Looking down, he saw a Wolf passing under him.  Immediately he began to revile and attack his enemy.  "Murderer and thief," he cried, "What are you doing here, near honest folks' houses?  How dare you make an appearance where your vile deeds are known?"

• Pride is a lamb's best friend.

• Speaking to a wolf shows bravery.  

• Calling someone names is foolish.  

• It is easy to be brave from a safe distance.  

Multiple Choice

In the book Charlotte's Web, Wilbur faces a problem. When winter comes, he will be slaughtered by the farmer. Charlotte, a spider and Wilbur's friend, spends much of her time thinking of and working on ways to save Wilbur's life. Charlotte works even when she is tired. She encourages Wilbur. She sacrifices her own needs and wants to help her friend. In the end, Charlotte's work and her dedication to Wilbur succeed. Which ONE word BEST describes the theme of this book?

• greed

• selfishness

• friendship

• trust