Theme The Search for Meaning What is a
- Slides: 7
Theme The Search for Meaning
What is a subject? subject: the topic of a work of literature. The subject can usually be stated in a single word or phrase, such as “love, ” “war, ” “childhood, ” “the challenges of growing up, ” or “the joy of cooking. ” In other words… subject is what the story is about.
What is a Theme? Theme: Life lesson, meaning, moral, or message about life or human nature that is communicated by a literary work. In other words… Theme is what the story teaches readers.
Themes A theme is not a word, it is a sentence. You don’t have to agree with theme to identify it. Examples Although it serves as a means to acquire material goods that improve life, money can’t buy happiness. A person’s worth cannot be determined by their looks. It is better to die free than live under tyranny.
Identifying Themes are not explicit (clearly stated). Themes are implied. Themes are bigger than the story. Small World of the Story Big World of the Theme. Applies to the “Real” World.
Review 1. Theme is what we can learn from a story, written in sentence form. 2. Themes must be inferred. 3. Themes are about the big, outside world and shouldn’t even mention the story, characters, etc. 4. Sometimes a sympathetic response to crime teachers better lessons than a harsh punishment. (Possible theme of “Thank You, Ma’am”. )
What is a Universal Theme? Universal Theme: themes that can be found in literature from different times, countries, and cultures. They are common throughout history and geography.