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Theme

Theme. The “so what” for what you observe in a text. Everyone Has a Story to Tell. How…. What is Theme ?. Theme is the author’s comment on the human condition. Meaning? Can you put this into your own words?. Why is Theme Important ?. The theme is why people read literature

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Theme

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  1. Theme The “so what” for what you observe in a text

  2. Everyone Has a Story to Tell

  3. How….

  4. What is Theme? Theme is the author’s comment on the human condition. Meaning? Can you put this into your own words?

  5. Why is Theme Important? • The theme is why people read literature • If you miss the theme, you miss • the main point of the story • the connection to yourself • the chance to see life through another’s eyes • the lesson about life and about being human

  6. How Do I Find Theme? Great question! We will talk about a few ways, but this is not a finite list. We will be adding to it throughout the year! You WILL have to LOOK and SEARCH and THINK for it!

  7. Put Into Words… Use the following to get the theme into words… Through this text, the author wants to teach all of the world that _______________. He or she is teaching us this through _________.

  8. Through this text, the author wants to teach all of the world that _______________. He or she is teaching us this through _________. Some kind of “life lesson” that is important to ALL humans. A variety of items we’ll study this year: setting, characters, literary devices, etc.

  9. For example… What might the author want to teach us when… There is a mean character that becomes good in the end? There is a challenging setting that characters triumph over? There is a mean character who NEVER changes even though people point out how much of a jerk he is?

  10. Put into Visuals…

  11. How do I find it? • Look at the plot of the text • The protagonist’s journey shows you his or her quest to find their innermost happiness • The plot helps you to understand the ultimate battle (external and internal) that the hero faces, and how that battle changes them • These things illuminate the author’s message (what he/she is trying to say about all people) World Studies

  12. How do I find it? Changes in character (why you need to understand characterization) • The reader charts the changes in the character • The changes in the character from beginning to end highlight the author’s opinion about what’s important in life (or they wouldn’t create a protagonist who endures that type of journey)

  13. Theme: How do I find it? Symbols and metaphors • Symbols are objects that stand for themselves but also represent a larger concept or idea • Symbols help the reader to understand the author’s ideas about what’s important in the story • Archetypes are “universal symbols” that transcend time and culture World Studies

  14. Theme:How do I find it? • Understand some common “thematic issues” that exist in literature: • Overcoming adversity • Good conquers evil • The importance of family • Love conquers all • People are more alike than they are different

  15. To find the theme in your novel… • analyze the plot structure • changes in character • symbols and metaphors • Form an opinion about the author’s specific perspective regarding those issues • which you write in your THESIS STATEMENT

  16. Practice!!

  17. Thematic Issues These next slides aren’t “THEMES” They ARE patterns we so over and over again. When we see them, what are the authors SAYING about being human / about life / etc.

  18. Overcoming Adversity The protagonist finds him/herself in a difficult situation and eventually overcomes the obstacles they face.

  19. Overcoming Adversity The protagonist finds him/herself in a difficult situation and eventually overcomes the obstacles they face. Thesis Statement: In Dumbo, the protagonist’s change in character illuminates that anyone can overcome adversity.

  20. Good Conquers Evil Thematic issue: Honesty is honored and criminals will eventually be caught and brought to justice. The protagonist is rewarded for being (or becoming) good.

  21. Good Conquers Evil Thematic issue: Honesty is honored and criminals eventually get caught and brought to justice. The protagonist is rewarded for being (or becoming) good. Thesis Statement: In Aladdin, the protagonist’s supreme ordeal (stage 7 from the Hero’s Journey) highlights the author’s belief that good will always conquer evil.

  22. The Importance of Family Thematic issue: family is the greatest good in life and nothing else comes close to its importance

  23. The Importance of Family Thematic issue: family is the greatest good in life and nothing else comes close to its importance Thesis Statement: In Despicable Me, the author uses the storybook as a metaphor for family, thereby proving that family can transform even the most despicable person into a family man.

  24. Love Conquers All Thematic issue: Love is the greatest of all human achievements

  25. Love Conquers All Thematic Issue: Love is the greatest of all human achievements Thesis Statement: In Hercules, Meg’s change in character illuminates the idea that gaining the ability to love is the greatest of all human achievements.

  26. People are more alike than they are different Thematic Issue: Whether rich or poor, educated or not, all human beings need the same things (love, respect, acceptance)

  27. People are more alike than they are different Thematic Issue: Whether rich or poor, educated or not, all human beings need the same things (love, respect, acceptance) Thesis Statement: In Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, the author uses the archetype of water to suggest that the common desire to be accepted far outweighs the differences people face.

  28. Interpretation and Theme Here’s the great thing about literature: it provides a different experience for each reader! Your interpretation about the theme can be totally different than someone else’s (because we all bring different experiences, biases, beliefs to the reading of a novel)

  29. The Incredibles

  30. Okay, let’s practice! Get a partner Each partner will pair up with another pair of partners Label one set of partners A and the other set B Together, we will watch a movie clip. After the clip, each group will have 2 minutes to prepare to argue a certain thematic issue (I will tell you your issue) You will have 2 minutes to “battle” with your rival pair to see who can win “The Battle of the Thematic Interpretations”!

  31. One More Practice This time, you and your partner pick the thematic issue!

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