Theme and Character Actions

A theme is a big idea in a story. It's the message about people or the world that the author is trying to get across. Themes are universal, which means they are true in all times and all places. They apply to many types of people.

The theme is a big _________ in a story.

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CCSS.RL.4.2

Read the following passage from a story.

Rohan triumphantly lifted the trophy above his head. Despite all the obstacles, he had won. Beneath his cheerful exterior, he felt a twinge of the constant pain he’d learned to live with. Almost unconsciously, Rohan removed one hand from the trophy and rubbed the thin red scar that snaked around his ankle. He thought back to the surgery and the weeks spent lying in his bed, unable to compete. The months of exercises to strengthen his leg. “Rohan!” he heard the crowd scream, as if in slow motion. A smile broke across Rohan’s face, shattering his thoughts. He returned his hand to his trophy, firmly grasping it.

• Some goals are too hard to achieve even if you try many times.

• Through determination, you can overcome big challenges.

• You need the support of your family to overcome challenges.

• When you achieve a goal, you shouldn’t brag about it.

Answer explanation

According to the passage, "despicte the obstacles, [Rohan] had won." Details also suggest that Rohan has shown determination through a long struggle. He has a scar, he had surgery and he spent weeks lying in bed and months strengthening his leg. From these details, we can infer that a theme is "through determination, you can overcome obstacles.

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We learned in our Khan video that the actions of characters can show the theme within the text.

What actions did the character take in this story that shows that determination can overcome challenges?

• Rohan quit the team when he had to have surgery.

• Injuries and problems did not stop Rohan from winning the trophy.

• Rohan decided that the trophy was not worth his time and health.

• Rohan decided to leave sports behind forever.

Answer explanation

Rohan did not let pain and injury story him from reaching his goal of winning. This action proves that through determination, you can overcome any challenge.

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Themes are about universal topics. For example, a topic could be compassion, relationships, or fate. A theme is often stated as a judgment about one of these topics. For example, a theme about the topic of relationships could be "relationships teach you important lessons."

Which of the following could be a theme of a story.

• You can never turn your back on your family

• A young girl returns to her family after moving far away.

• Most people have at least one brother or sister.

• “I’ll never speak to you again,” she said quietly to her mother.

Answer explanation

This statement provides a judgment or an opinion on the topic of "family" and could be the theme of the story.

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CCSS.RL.4.2

Stories that come from different parts of the world, cultures or time periods can have the same theme.

Read the following passage from a story.

Eriene gazed across the field, noticing how peaceful Creature's Cove seemed now. The only evidence of the battle were the scorched patches of earth dotting the landscape like a sunburn. Eriene clasped the jade pendant that dangled heavily under her robe. Her great-aunt's words echoed in her head. "This necklace has always belonged to the protector of what is good and just in the kingdom. Now, it belongs to you."

Eriene had passed her first test, the dragon no longer a threat to the kingdom's way of life. Wisps of smoke drifted up from the land that its poisonous breath had burned. Soon, new grass would poke through, and memories of the battle would recede into the past. But Eriene knew this was not the end. This dragon lay slain in the Yonderland. But its spirit would return again and again in different forms.

• Evil can easily be defeated.

• Good people are difficult to find.

• Good and evil always exist together in the world.

• People often forget the things they don't want to remember.

Answer explanation

Good and evil always exist together in the world.

Details from the passage, such as the description of Eriene's necklace, suggest that Eriene is a protector of goodness and justice in the kingdom. She has slayed the evil dragon, but she knows the spirit of evil will return in different forms. This provides evidence that at theme is "good and evil always exist together in the world."

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We learned in our Khan video that the actions of characters can show the theme within the text.

What actions did the characters take in this story that shows the theme of good and evil existing in the world?

• The dragon defeated Eriene with his evil, fire breath.

• Eriene and the dragon both died in the fight.

• Eriene used the necklace to defeat the evil of the dragon.

• Eriene's necklace did not protect her from the evil dragon.

Answer explanation

Eriene's actions of using the necklace to defeat the evil dragon showed that good [Eriene and her necklace] won over evil [the dragon].

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CCSS.W.4.9A

Read the following passage.

The last time George saw Charity, they were eight years old, building forts of dirt and sticks in the corner lot. When Charity's family moved to Texas, George was heartbroken. There were 500 miles between them, but to George, she may as well have moved to the moon. For a time, George mourned the loss of their friendship. But much to his surprise, a letter appeared in his mailbox the next week. It was the first of many sharp, funny letters in which Charity's unique personality leaped off the page. Through this correspondence, George followed six years of events in Charity's life: her family's many moves, her struggles in school, her triumphs playing the violin. He hoped that she looked forward to his responses as much as he looked forward to hers.

What is the theme of the story?

• Friendships do not last long.

• Friendships can last even when friends are apart.

• You can't be friends with someone you can't see.

• Friends can be cruel.

Answer explanation

Friendships can last even when friends are apart.

Though George and Charity were apart, they could remain friends for years to come because they wrote to each other. Sharing their life experiences though they were apart supports the theme the "Friendships can last even when friends are apart."

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CCSS.RL.4.2

What actions did George and Charity take that showed the theme of the story?

• George and Charity made new friends.

• George and Charity stayed in touch by writing to each other.

• Charity refused to write to George.

• George threw Charity's letters away.

Answer explanation

The action of the characters writing to each other supports the theme of friendships lasting even when the friends are apart.

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How well do you think you understand how a character's actions can reveal the theme of the story?

• I know this stuff!!

• I understand it.

• I think I understand.

• I am lost in the sauce!

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