Theme vs. Topic/Subject vs. Details

Which of the following is NOT an acceptable definition of theme?

• the moral or lesson of the work of fiction

• an opinion expressed about a work of fiction on its deeper meaning

• the message about life or people communicated from the author to the reader

• the main conflict of a work of fiction

Which of the following is NOT true about theme?

• It is universal, so it may apply to everyone.

• It is sometimes directly stated in a work of fiction.

• Only the author can determine a theme.

• Look to what happens to the main character to help determine a theme.

Which of the following could be a theme?

• Rick wanted freedom from the harsh leadership of his country.

• freedom

• freedom in 2020

• People learn the value of freedom when they do not have it.

Which of the following could be a theme?

• guilt

• the weight of guilt

• Amir's guilt led him to fix the wrongs of his childhood.

• The weight of guilt leads people to fix the wrongs they've caused others.

Which of the following could be a theme?

• In the poem, the beauty of nature is described and how it impacts those in it.

• the beauty of nature

• Nature can inspire humans and add beauty to their lives.

• nature

All of the following are subjects except one--which one?

• hate

• love

• Prejudice can cause people to hurt others.

• the slave owner's wife

From the theme video we watched, which of the following was NOT given as a way to determine theme?

• Read interviews with the author.

• Look at the title of the work of fiction.

• Look for conflicts.

• Look at how the main character(s) change.

All of the following are actual themes from different works of literatre except for one--which one?

• Janie felt that her marriage to Joe Starks was dead. ~Their Eyes Were Watching God

• Following the laws of the gods is more important than following the laws of man. ~Antigone

• People should not take advantage of others and expect no repercussions. ~Medea

• Humans are not in control of their fate. ~Oedipus

The reader should be able to identify when a theme emerges (starts) and how it develops (changes) over the course of a text?

• True

• False

The main character of a novel keeps having horrible events happen to him and the character never is at fault or never causes the problems. Which of the following could be a theme based just on that information?

• People always deserve what happens to them.

• Life isn't always fair.

• Change your perspective to change your life.