WHAT IS THEME English II What is Theme

WHAT IS THEME? English II

What is Theme? � Theme is the central idea, or insight, about life or human behavior that a story reveals. � In most stories, theme is not stated directly!! › Instead, it is revealed to us through the characters’ experiences!

UNIVERSAL THEMES � Come up again and again in literature � Deal with basic human concerns– good and evil, life and death, love and loss � Shine a light on our common experiences � Can help guide us through our lives

UNIVERSAL THEMES � THREE RULES › No references to plot › No “YOU” statements › No advice

FINDING the Theme (part one) � Writers often express theme through what their characters learn. › Does the main character change? › Does a character realize something he or she didn’t know before?

FINDING the Theme (part two) � Conflict helps reveal theme. › What is the conflict, or struggle between opposing forces, that the main character faces? › How is the conflict resolved?

FINDING the Theme (part three) � Sometimes the title gives clues. › Does the title have a special meaning? › Does it point to theme?

FINDING the Theme (part four) � The theme applies to the entire work › Test your statement of theme �Does it apply to the whole work, not just parts of it?

Now that you can find theme…. � You � Next need to learn how to STATE it! up: FOUR EASY STEPS!

STEP ONE (Stating theme) � Summarize the plot by writing a onesentence description that contains necessary information about the exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

STEP TWO (Stating theme) � Identify the one-word THEME word!

STEP THREE (stating theme) � Identify what the story says that was learned about the THEME word.

STEP FOUR (stating theme) � Write one universal statement that explains what was learned. Be sure to include the one-word THEME word in your sentence. › REMEMBER… Universal means: �No references to plot �No “You” statements �No advice!

There is no single way to state theme! � People may express the same theme in different words. � There may be different opinions about what the main theme is. � The most meaningful literary works often have more than ONE theme!

REALLY BAD EXAMPLES � Challenges in life. › What’s wrong with this? �It’s not a complete sentence!

REALLY BAD EXAMPLES � Pride can be a good thing or a bad thing. › What is wrong with this? �It is too general!

REALLY BAD EXAMPLES � Revenge is when a person hits someone back after being hit. › What is wrong with this? �This is an example of revenge, not a truth about all types of revenge!

REALLY BAD EXAMPLES � Love is blind. › What is wrong with this? �It is a cliché.

REALLY BAD EXAMPLES � Family was very important to James Mc. Bride. › What is wrong with this? �This needs to be a universal statement. �It is specific to the text!

Now, you try! Write a theme statement based on theme word. Trade. Check if theme meets criteria. Write the reverse theme statement.