Analyze Theme

A theme is the 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 different types of people.

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.

Which of the following is most likely a theme of the story?

• 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.
  

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

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.
Which of the following is most likely a theme of the story?

• 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.
  

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

You and your friend might analyze the plot and the characters of a story and come up with two different correct themes.
Read the following passage from a story.
Wind whipped at Vanessa, Mo and Jaime's faces as they trudged up the mountain. "Do you have the ice samples?" Vanessa questioned Mo again."Why don't you carry them the rest of the way?" he responded irritably. Mo was digging into his backpack to retrieve the samples when suddenly, a gust of wind snatched them out of his hands, sending them tumbling down the mountain.
If we lose those, this was all for nothing!" Vanessa cried. The wind roared angrily, churning flakes of snow that had newly begun to fall. How far had the samples gone? The three scientists stared at each other in horrified silence.
I'll go back for them," Jaime spoke up quietly.
Vanessa and Mo looked at Jaime. He was the smallest and youngest of the group, barely strong enough to carry his large backpack.
"I'll go," he said louder.
Which sentence from the passage provides the best clue that a theme of the story is "Courage can be found in the people you least expect it"?

• "'Why don't you carry them the rest of the way?'" he responded irritably.
  

• "How far had the samples gone?"
  

• "The wind roared angrily, churning flakes of snow that had newly begun to fall."
  

• "He was the smallest and youngest of the group, barely strong enough to carry his large backpack."
  

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read the following passage from a story.
As Tai strummed the guitar, Charlesa looked at her with pride. For so long, Tai's fingers had clumsily tripped over the strings, but now she played the song with ease. Getting to this point hadn't been easy for Charlesa, either. She sighed, trying to bury the memories of all the screaming tantrums Tai had thrown. Once, she nearly threw her guitar against a wall. But now when Tai smiled, and the tune of "Sweet Home Alabama" floated out of the instrument, Charlesa smiled, too. It had been worth it.

Which of the following is most likely a theme of the story?

• Playing a musical instrument is too much work.
  

• Hard work can bring great rewards.
  

• Friends shouldn't try to teach each other new things.
  

• It's OK to give up on yourself.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

How can a theme be identified in a story?

• By looking at the title only

• By examining the actions and growth of characters

• By counting the number of pages

• By focusing on the illustrations

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Identify the theme in the following passage: "The old man sat by the fire, reminiscing about his youth and the choices he had made, realizing that regret was a heavy burden to bear."

• The passage of time

• The importance of wealth

• The beauty of nature

• The inevitability of change

Tags

DOK Level 1: Recall

In a story where the main character moves from selfishness to generosity, identify and analyze the key turning point that supports the theme of transformation. Use evidence from the text.

• When the character shares their wealth

• When the character first experiences loss

• When the character reflects on past actions

• When the character meets a pivotal new friend

Tags

DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

In what way can the setting of a story contribute to its theme?

• By determining the length of the story

• By influencing the mood or atmosphere, which supports the theme

• By specifying the number of characters in the story

• By dictating the font style used in the book

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

In a historical fiction novel, the theme of "resilience in the face of adversity" is prominent. How does the author develop this theme over the course of the novel?

• By the characters' repeated successes

• Through characters overcoming increasingly difficult challenges

• By the use of symbolic objects

• Through the dialogue in the opening chapters

Tags

DOK Level 4: Extended Thinking

Identify the theme in the following passage: "Despite the harsh conditions, the villagers continued to help one another, showing that even in the darkest times, humanity can shine through."

• The power of community

• The inevitability of suffering

• The importance of wealth

• The beauty of nature

Tags

DOK Level 1: Recall