If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth/Silent Spring

​If I Forget thee, Oh earth/Silent spring

​Literary Analysis: Theme

The theme of a literary work is the central message or insight about life that is conveyed through the work. Sometimes, the theme is stated directly. More often, it is suggested indirectly through the words and experiences of the characters or through the events of a story.

How the theme is developed depends in part on the genre, or form, of the work. In nonfiction literature, such as essays, the theme is usually stated directly as a main idea. Then, the writer supports the idea with facts, details, and examples to prove the point.

In most fiction—short stories, novels, poetry, and plays—the theme is implied, or suggested.

Readers must figure out the theme by looking at the ideas expressed through story events and character actions.

Open Ended

He was looking upon the funeral pyre of a world—upon the radioactive aftermath of Armageddon.

Across a quarter of a million miles of space, the glow of dying atoms was still visible, a perennial reminder of the ruinous past. It would be centuries yet before that deadly glow died from the rocks and life could return again to fill that silent, empty world.

What does this passage imply about what has happened to Earth?

Open Ended

He was looking upon the funeral pyre of a world—upon the radioactive aftermath of Armageddon.

Across a quarter of a million miles of space, the glow of dying atoms was still visible, a perennial reminder of the ruinous past. It would be centuries yet before that deadly glow died from the rocks and life could return again to fill that silent, empty world.

How does this passage relate to the theme of the story?

Open Ended

He was looking upon the funeral pyre of a world—upon the radioactive aftermath of Armageddon.

Across a quarter of a million miles of space, the glow of dying atoms was still visible, a perennial reminder of the ruinous past. It would be centuries yet before that deadly glow died from the rocks and life could return again to fill that silent, empty world.

How would you state the theme of this story?

Open Ended

In the gutters under the eaves and between the shingles of the roofs, a white granular powder

still showed a few patches; some weeks before it had fallen like snow upon the roofs and lawns, the fields and streams.

No witchcraft, no enemy action had silenced the rebirth of new life in this stricken world. The

people had done it themselves.

What might the “white granular powder” be? What are the effects of the powder?

Open Ended

In the gutters under the eaves and between the shingles of the roofs, a white granular powder

still showed a few patches; some weeks before it had fallen like snow upon the roofs and lawns, the fields and streams.

No witchcraft, no enemy action had silenced the rebirth of new life in this stricken world. The

people had done it themselves.

How does this passage relate to the theme of the selection?

Open Ended

In the gutters under the eaves and between the shingles of the roofs, a white granular powder

still showed a few patches; some weeks before it had fallen like snow upon the roofs and lawns, the fields and streams.

No witchcraft, no enemy action had silenced the rebirth of new life in this stricken world. The

people had done it themselves.

How would you state the theme of this selection?

Multiple Choice

At the beginning of “If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth..., ” how would you describe the atmosphere, or mood, when Marvin and his father travel up to the servicing chamber?

• fearful

• sad

• amusing

• suspenseful

Multiple Choice

In Arthur C. Clarke’s story, why are the people living in the Colony?

• They lost a war on Earth.

• They prefer the Colony to Earth.

• They crash-landed there while they were on a mission to explore space.

• They cannot live in the Earth’s ruined environment.

Multiple Choice

Why does Marvin’s father plan the trip Outside?

• He wants to teach Marvin about living in space.

• He wants to pass on to Marvin the dream of returning to Earth.

• He wants to teach Marvin more about the stars and planets.

• He wants to give Marvin a lesson in how to drive a surface vehicle.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following BEST defines the theme of a literary work?

• paraphrase

• central message

• foreshadowing

• tone

Multiple Choice

Which of the following BEST states the theme of “If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth... ” ?

• To colonize outer space is challenging.

• Knowledge should be passed down from one generation to the next.

• The Earth must be preserved for future generations.

• Survival in a hostile environment is almost impossible.

Multiple Choice

In the excerpt from Silent Spring, why are doctors in the town puzzled?

• More children are being born with birth defects.

• People are becoming sick from new kinds of illnesses.

• People are reacting violently to bee stings.

• People are increasingly being bitten by animals.

Multiple Choice

All of the following statements about theme are accurate EXCEPT one. Which statement is NOT true?

• Works of fiction as well as nonfiction may have a theme.

• In a short story, the theme is usually stated directly, not implied.

• The theme of an essay is often stated directly as the main idea.

• The theme of a literary work is not the same as the work’s subject or topic.

Multiple Choice

What is the most likely cause of the great changes that happen to the town in Silent Spring?

• pesticides

• floods

• forest fires

• a nuclear bomb

Multiple Choice

How would you state Rachel Carson’s theme in Silent Spring?

• Wildlife populations should be controlled.

• Tourism cannot be allowed to damage the environment.

• Endangered species deserve our concern.

• People are responsible for damaging the environment.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best compares the two selections: “If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth . . .” and the excerpt from Silent Spring?

• Both works make reference to the future.

• Both works focus on the welfare of the Earth.

• The authors of both works use humor to make their central point.

• Both works are examples of fiction.

Multiple Choice

Which statement accurately compares or contrasts the themes of “If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth... ” and the excerpt from Silent Spring?

• The two themes are totally dissimilar and have nothing in common.

• Both themes warn about the destruction of life on Earth.

• Both themes recommend that humans found colonies in space.

• Both themes warn of the dangers of nuclear war.

Multiple Choice

Which of the two selections (the Clarke short story or the Carson essay) can be viewed as a serious warning to readers?

• “If I Forget Thee, Oh Earth . . .” by Clarke

• the excerpt from Silent Spring by Carson

• both selections

• neither selection