Theme and Conflict

What is theme?

• a short summary of the plot of a story

• the message or moral of a story that the reader should learn

• the turning point in the story

• a type or category of a book

Tabby is in a wheelchair, but she is determined to win the 1/4 dash on track and field day, and the coach has allowed her to pit the strength of her arms against the legs of the runners. Tabby thinks to herself all the time that she can win the race, and she trains hard. Ann is also entered in the race. Though she has long legs and a lot of potential, Ann does not think that she can run as fast as the others. Tabby is one of the first to cross the finish line. Ann is one of the last.

• Honesty is the best policy.

• True Beauty.

• The only limitations we have are those we place upon ourselves.

• Life is change.

Ryan and Alicia both wanted the same part in the school play. The drama teacher, Miss Flynn, was new, and both Ryan and Alicia wanted to impress her. Ryan told Miss Flynn that he had starred in many plays already. Alicia told her that she had never been in a play, but she had been working hard every day to learn the lines of the part she hoped to get. When Miss Flynn mentioned Ryan’s drama experience to one of the other teachers, he laughed. “The only drama experience he has is the lie he told you,” the other teacher said. Alicia got the part.

• Honesty is the best policy

• True beauty is on the inside

• The only limitations we have are those that we place upon ourselves

• Choose your friends wisely

Wilma was a very pretty girl, and she knew it.  She never passed a mirror without glancing at her reflection. She chose her friends based on how pretty and popular they were because these were the things that Wilma valued most. When Wilma got the chicken pox, she got a really bad case, and unfortunately she wasn’t able to keep from scratching and ended up with scars on her face. When she returned to school after being sick, she found that she no longer had any friends.

• Honesty is the best policy

• True beauty is on the inside

• The only limitations we have are those we place upon ourselves

Harry learns that Professor Snape is after the Sorcerer’s Stone. The professor lets loose a troll that nearly kills Harry and his friends. In addition, Harry finds out that Hagrid let out the secret of the giant dog to a stranger in return for a dragon, which means that Snape can now reach the Sorcerer’s Stone.

• Plot

• Theme

It is always best to be honest.

• Plot

• Theme

Wilbur is saved by Fern, but then he is sent to live at her uncle's farm. Charlotte, a spider, helps save Wilbur's life by writing words about him in her web. He wins the county fair and is saved.

• Plot

• Theme

Be thankful for what you have.

• Plot

• Theme

You and your friend had a disagreement and haven't talked for two days. This is an example of an external conflict.

• True

• False

Your friend tells you a secret in absolute confidence. You don't really mean to, but you tell another friend. Soon the whole school seems to know what your friend's secret is. Your friend is really mad at you. Your friend confronts you and both get mad and start yelling at each other. Now you are both mad.  What kind of conflict is this?

• Person vs. Self

• Person vs Person

• Person vs Nature