Literature Book Unit 3: Theme

• RL 1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

• RL 2 Determine a theme and analyze its development over the course of the text.

Part 1: What is theme?

• A theme is a message about a topic in life or human nature that a writer wants you to understand.

• A story may have more than one theme or multiple themes.

• Some popular theme topics, such as those about loyalty and love, appear in many different stories. They are called recurring themes. Recurring = over and over.

Theme Topic + events in the story that relate to the theme topic = Theme Statement

Family Ponyboy’s family is his two brothers and the gang.

Johnny’s family is two abusive parents and the gang.

Dally’s family is the gang

Theme Topic + events in the story that relate to the theme topic = Theme Statement

Family Think about the author’s message about a

topic. This should be written in at least one complete sentence.

Family can come in many different

forms.

Ponyboy’s family is his two brothers and the gang.

Johnny’s family is two abusive parents and the gang.

Dally’s family is the gang

Theme Topic + events in the story that relate to the theme topic = Theme Statement

Family Think about the author’s message about a

topic. This should be written in at least one complete sentence.

Family can come in many different

forms.

Violence

Ponyboy’s family is his two brothers and the gang.

Johnny’s family is two abusive parents and the gang.

Dally’s family is the gang

Theme Topic + events in the story that relate to the theme topic = Theme Statement

Family Think about the author’s message about a topic.

This should be written in at least one complete sentence.

Family can come in many different forms.

Violence Violence does not solve problems-- it creates more.

Ponyboy’s family is his two brothers and the gang.

Johnny’s family is two abusive parents and the gang.

Dally’s family is the gang

To find the theme in a story…

Topic + events in the story related to the topic = theme statement

• Look for the topic in the events of a story.The Outsiders- Family and Violence

2. Think about the author’s message about a topic. This should be written in at least one complete sentence.The Outsiders- Family can come in many different forms.Violence does not solve problems-- it creates more.

Themes in LiteratureOn your paper, create a chart like the one below.

•Brainstorm events with a younger sibling or friend about the topic? •Write a theme statement that sums up a message from each event •BONUS: Think of well-known movies, books, or television shows that express a similar theme.

friendship

Themes in LiteratureOn your paper, create a chart like the one below.

Row 1 – “Casey at the Bat”

Row 2 – “The Last Dog”

Row 3 - “Thank You M’am”

Row 4 – “Monsters are Due on Maple Street”

Part 2: A Closer Look at Theme

Title- •Look back at Unit 1. Which titles reflect the topic of the selection? •What is one theme in “Casey at the Bat”? What new title could you give the story to reflect this theme?

Part 2: A Closer Look at Theme

Plot- •In “The Last Dog,” what two ways of living must Brock choose between? •How does he feel about his decision at the end? •What theme does this plot suggest?

or

Part 2: A Closer Look at Theme

Characters- •How does Roger in “Thank You, M’am” change during the story? •What theme does this change suggest?

Part 2: A Closer Look at Theme

Setting- •What is the setting of “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street”? •What does the setting suggest about where mob action can happen?

Themes in “Amigo Brothers”On your paper, create a chart like the one below.

•Try to come up with 2 different theme topics and theme statements.