Unveiling the Theme

Unveiling the Theme

Theme – the central idea or truth a story reveals about life

Unveiling the Theme

• Theme: The truth a story reveals about life; the message the author is sharing about life.

• Identifying & Analyzing Theme:

  • What is the CONFLICT in the story? How does it get resolved?

  • How does the main CHARACTER change? What lessons do they learn?

  • What does the author say that sounds like a lesson? Perhaps words of wisdom or aha moments

  • What does this remind you of in life? What could you learn from this event, experience, or conflict?

• Importance of Theme: Theme is not the subject, main idea, or the central idea of the story. Theme is bigger than the story – it goes beyond the story and can be applied to other situations

​Topic:
Tells what a story is mostly about in a word or two.

Theme:
The truth a story reveals about life; the message the author is sharing about life.

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of identifying themes in a literary work?

• To analyze characters, plot, and symbols

• To look for recurring ideas, motifs, and conflicts

• To provide insight into human nature, society, and life lessons

• • to identify the truth a story reveals about life; the message the author is sharing about life.

The character's change can help the reader understand the theme.

​Think about the character's traits at the beginning of the story.


What is the character's motivation or reason for doing things?



How do they react to the problem?



How do they solve the problem?



How does the character change teach the reader a lesson?

The character's change can help the reader understand the theme.

On the next slides,
identify what could be possible themes based on the change the character goes experiences.

​

Multiple Choice

• Gets to know someone they thought they didn't like.

• Becomes indifferent towards the person.
• Avoids the person completely.
• Develops a stronger dislike for the person.
• You can find friendship in unexpected places.

Multiple Choice

Finally gives up something important for the benefit of others.

• You can help others by making sacrifices.

• Compromise isn't worth your happiness.

• Being selfish is necessary.

Multiple Choice

Overcomes a challenge in society like civil rights for all and policies against women and minorities.

• Fight for all people to be treated as equals.

• Put your needs before the needs of others.

• Worry about yourself and do not focus on things you can't change.

Multiple Choice

Overcomes a personal challenge.

• Blame others for the challenge and avoid taking responsibility.
• Ignore the challenge and hope it goes away.
• Give up at the first sign of difficulty.
• Persevere against challenges and you can accomplish your goals.

Glue this on page __ in your I.N.B.

Watch the video and identify the THEME and EVIDENCE.

Multiple Choice

The message or lesson that the author wants you to learn from the story is...

• thesis

• summary

• theme

• plot

Multiple Choice

A theme is one word long.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

A theme must be supported by...

• evidence from the story.

• local businesses.

• a reader's opinion of the story.

• the number of pages.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of theme?

• Snow White was thoughtful and kind.

• Don't judge people by outward appearances.

• Juan risked his life to save his brother's.

• Happiness

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of theme?

• One person can make a difference.

• The donkey was stubborn and did not move.

• LaShonda knew she would always be grateful.

• RGB became famous for being a champion for gender equality.

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of theme?

• Inequality

• Justice

• Hope

• Your past does not define you.

Multiple Choice

Three flies notice an overturned honey pot. Two of the flies decide to land in the honey and start eating it. But the oldest fly stays back. The two flies tease the older fly, but then get stuck in the honey.

What is the theme of this story?

• Some prizes aren't worth it

• Overeating leads to illness.

• Insects value food over safety

• Always send a tester

Multiple Choice

A story can have more than one theme.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Where can a reader find the theme?

• It is stated directly in the text.

• A character tells you.

• The reader must understand what the character has learned.

• Books or movies do not have themes.