THEMES THEMATIC STATEMENTS A Closer Look What Questions
- Slides: 23
THEMES & THEMATIC STATEMENTS A Closer Look
What Questions Lie Ahead? l What is a thematic statement? l Why are thematic statements important? l What are three ways to discover them?
THEMES l ‘bigger ideas’ l can sum up in one or two words what a text is ‘about’ or what the main issues are. l don’t go into much detail.
EXAMPLE THEMES l l l Role of women Constructed nature of social roles Appearance vs. reality Freedom Dictatorship Social control
THEMATIC STATEMENT l much more detailed development of exactly what the text says about a theme. l contain a message or set of assumptions about the way the world is.
THEMATIC STATEMENT l expresses the writer’s perspective on some aspect of human life l meant to be true of people outside the story in the real world. l tells us what the world is actually like, not what the world should be like.
EXAMPLES…OR NOT? l They story was pretty good. l It’s about how poor they are and the terrible things that happen to them. l Poverty destroys the life of an individual
EXAMPLES…OR NOT? l l l ‘Female Clothing’ ‘The Role of Women in Society’ ‘Society constructs different roles for its members, both male and female. These roles are arbitrary but people who do not conform to them are treated as ‘perverted’, immoral, wrong and to be excluded. ’
How do I identify thematic statements? The Quick Way: 1. 2. 3. Protagonist Antagonist Setting
The main character / hero is part of which group or groups? l l gender, race, age, ethnicity, religion, job social / economic position, time period Now make a statement about that person as if it were true of all people in that position.
The opponent is part of which group or groups? l gender, race, age, ethnicity, religion, job social / economic position, time period l can be vague groups-- governments, businesses, societies or philosophies
The setting is part of what kind of area? l geographically, economically, historically, country or city l stereotypical hazards
HERO: Harry Potter l young, inexperienced, white boy of indeterminate wealth, religion or social position l abandoned by his parents, suffered with the Dursley’s l succeeds against the vastly stronger, more experienced and powerful evil enemies he confronts l vague details mean that almost any child can aspire to be Harry
ENEMY: l Voldemort represents selfishness, power, domination and ruthlessness SETTING: l anywhere in England / the West / the world— magic removes it from location
THEMATIC STATEMENT That the pure of heart (young, inexperienced but basically good Harry) can over come any amount of evil with courage, faith, bravery, hard work and friendship. Because Harry could be anyone and the wizarding world could be anywhere this applies to everyone.
COMMON THEMATIC STATEMENT? Some thematic statements are so common and so strong that we often assume them to be true!
The pure and good of heart will eventually overcome those who are evil and selfish. l l l Harry Potter The Lord of the Rings The Chronicles of Narnia Star Wars The Exorcist Constantine
Appearances can be deceptive and the ‘true’ value of a thing is somehow intrinsic, internal and hidden from view. l l Shrek Beauty and the Beast Cinderella Story Forrest Gump
The pure, good, meek and lowly will eventually attain their goal through hard work and diligence while those who take short cuts or break the rules will eventually achieve nothing or achieve only things of little value. l l Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Dodgeball The Longest Yard Bring it on!
Fate ensures that two people who were meant to be together do in fact end up together despite initial problems in the relationship. l l l How to Lose a Guy in 10 days 10 Things I Hate About You She’s All That Serendipity Grease
Enduring hardships makes the individual who experiences them calml and with resignation a stronger, better and wiser human being. Suffering is good for you! l l l The Pianist A Beautiful Mind A Love Song for Bobby Long The 10 Commandments The Passion of the Christ
Success for a man or woman involves finding someone to love and, no matter how successful they may otherwise be, they are in some sense incomplete until they have found that person. l l Sleepless in Seattle You’ve Got Mail Something’s Gotta Give Pretty Woman
Nature / natural life is more pure and ‘real’ than the cold, lifeless, artificial life that we have created for ourselves in cities and modern societies and a ‘good’ person must struggle, fight or travel to find, rediscover or regain that purity. l l l l l King Kong Rabbit Proof Fence American Beauty Fight Club The Matrix Garden State Lost in Translation Pleasantville Bladerunner
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