Theme, allusion, and characterization

A theme is . . .

• A short topic

• A central idea of a literary piece.

• A reoccurring symbol

• An expression of interest.

Themes are written . . .

• as expressions that you've often heard.

• typically in one word.

• as unique complete sentences.

• as thesis statments.

Write a thematic statement for the following story: Two Goats, walking on the rocky steeps of a mountain, met, one on each side of a deep chasm through which poured a mighty river. The trunk of a fallen tree formed the only means of crossing the chasm, and on this not even two squirrels could have passed each other in safety. The narrow path would have made the bravest tremble. Not so our Goats. Their pride would not permit either to stand aside for the other.

One set her foot on the log. The other did likewise. In the middle they met horn to horn. Neither would give way, and so they both fell, to be swept away.

What is an allusion?

• A repeated symbol

• A repeated metaphor

• A subtle reference to some person, place, or event

• A bright light

What is indirect characterization.

• the process of explicitly telling the audience what a character is like

• the process of showing what a character is like through speech, thoughts, effects on others, actions, and looks

• the process of describing how a character changes over the course of the text

• the process of creating tension between characters

Indirectly characterize Spiderman using all of S.T.E.A.L.