Theme

ELA.9.R.1.2
Analyze universal themes and their development throughout a literary text.

By VIVIANA RIVERA

​Analyzing Universal Themes in Literature

Target: I can identify and analyze the universal theme and how the author develops the theme using literary elements.

Words to know

• Universal- Relating to everyone

• Theme- the central idea or message of a work of literature, often expressed as a general statement about life

• Topic- the subject of a text, usually expressed as a single word or phrase in the form of a noun

• Implied- suggest but not directly stated

• Infer- to determine something not stated directly by using reasoning and evidence from the text

Match

Reorder the following

• Implied

• Universal

• theme

• topic

suggested but not directly stated

relating to everyone

the central idea or message in a text

subject of a text

• suggested but not directly stated

• relating to everyone

• the central idea or message in a text

• subject of a text

How does the author develop a theme?

• What are universal Themes?

  • concepts or messages that resonate with many people, regardless of their background.

  • Usually addresses main aspects of the human experience.

• What does development mean?

  • to elaborate on an idea by connecting other elements that help to create that idea

Multiple Choice

What is a universal theme?

• An idea that applies universally, regardless of culture

• A concept that is specific to one culture

• 
  A detailed description of what is happening in the story

• A detailed description of the setting in a literary text

Dropdown

Development of the theme is the process of ​

Select answer

the theme by ​

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the literary​

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used to express the ​

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Examples of Common Themes

1. Confrontation with nature

2. Quest for understanding

3. Ideal vs. Real

4. Impact of Technology

1. Reflects the relationship and struggles between humans and the nature world.

2. Represents an individual's journey towards self-awareness and or enlightenment

3. Explores the tension between idealistic goals and harsh realities

4. Examines conflicts arising from scientific advancements and their effects on humanity

5. Looks at how history shapes present circumstances

6. Consider the role of destiny in human lives

7. addresses the fight against social and political inequalities

8. Describes the transition from naivety of knowledge or maturity

5. Influence of the past

6. Inevitability of fate

7. struggle for equality

8. Loss innocence

Example of Themes con.

Match

Match the following ways themes are conveyed in literature.

• inevitability of fate

• the struggle for equality

• the quest for knowledge

• loss of innocence

showing life events as uncontrollable

journey in overcoming social inequalitie

journey towards self-discovery & wisdom

transition from childhood to adulthood

• showing life events as uncontrollable

• journey in overcoming social inequalitie

• journey towards self-discovery & wisdom

• transition from childhood to adulthood

​How do we analyze theme

• This involves peeling back the layers of a story (Literary Elements) to uncover the core idea

• Examine how the theme is expressed through those Literary Elements:

  • Character

  • Setting

  • Conflict

  • Resolution

​How do we analyze theme

• When examining how literary elements express the theme look for:

  • Characterization- How does a character's actions and decisions reflect the theme?

  • Plot Development- How does the theme evolve with the story?

  • Author's use of Literary Devices- such as imagery, metaphors and symbolism

  • Resolution- How is the theme concluded or left open at the story's end?

Match

To analyze thematic development, ask...

Match the question with the literary element it refers to.

• What is the time and place like? do any values, beliefs, or social structures create conflict?

• Which characters are powerful or powerless? What do they want or fear? How do they change?

• What is the nature of the problems characters face? How do they react, and are they successful or defeated?

• Do images or figures of speech repeat, whether exactly or similarly?

• Do objects, characters, and places hold great meaning for the characters? Do these elements repeat?

Setting

Characterization

Conflict and Plot

Imagery and Figurative language

Symbolism

• Setting

• Characterization

• Conflict and Plot

• Imagery and Figurative language

• Symbolism

Let me show you how to analyze the theme!

​Read the passage below.

Lion was asleep in the forest when small and timid Mouse came upon him unexpectedly. In his fright and haste to get away, he ran right across Lion's nose. Lion woke up with a start adn put his large paw on top of tiny Mouse. "Please let me go!" begged Mouse, "and someday I will help you in return." Lion was amused to think that a creature as tiny as Mous could ever help him, but he was feeling generous, so he let Mouse go.

Some days later, Lion got caught in a hunter's net. The harder he struggled, the more entangled he became. Frustrated, Lion roared thunderously. Mouse heard Lion and quickly found him. Running to the net, Mouse gnawed the ropes until Lion was free. "You laughed when I said I would repay you," said Mouse. "Now you see that even someone as small as a mouse can help someone as big as a lion.

​What can I tell about the characters from the details in the story?

Lion is big and powerful but can also be kind and generous.
Mouse is small and timid but can also be helpful and keep his word

​What conflict do the characters face in the two different scenes of the story?

Conflict 1: Lion has to decide whether to let Mouse go free
Conflict 2: Lion gets caught in the hunter's net and cannot get out.

​How do the characters deal with conflict?

They decide to help each other, Lion releases Mouse; Mouse frees Lion from the net

​What is the topic?

Helping others

Now...What is the theme of this story?

Big or small, everyone needs help sometimes.

Let's practice together

​Read the passage below

Because Asha is my best friend, I agreed to let her use my car to run an errand. I told her I had to leave for work at 5:00. She promised to be back by then. At 5:15, she still had not returned. I was furious! Is this how she repays my kindness? Finally, at 5:30, she pulled into the driveway. "I'm sorry I'm late," she said. "I spent the whole afternoon at the tire shop. One of your tires had a nail in it, and it was going flat. Don't worry, though. I had it fixed for you." I felt ashamed of myself for not trusting my friend. I called my boss and told her I'd be a little late because of car trouble.

What can we tell about the characters?

Speaker: Is generous, but quick to judge

Asha: take responsibility for the car she borrowed. She is responsible and caring.

Multiple Choice

What literary element is expressed in these descriptions?

Speaker: Is generous, but quick to judge

Asha: take responsibility for the car she borrowed. She is responsible and caring.

• character

• conflict

• plot

• characterization

What conflict is presented in the plot?

​Read the passage below

The speaker lends her car to Asha, who doesn't return it on time, so the speaker is going to be late for work.

The narrator lends her car to Asha, who doesn't return it on time, so the narrator is going to be late for work.

Your turn

Multiple Choice

How do the characters deal with conflict?

• Asha feels ashamed that she's late, and the speaker is angry. They learn to keep their promises

• The speaker gets angry and feels ashamed when she learns why Asha is late. They learn to be honest and forgiving

Dropdown

The topic of this story is​

Select answer

Multiple Choice

Based on the characterization and how the conflict was dealt, what is the theme of this story?

• Lending things to friends can be risky.

• Anger and kindness go hand in hand

• Trust is an important part of friendship

• Always stay true to your word