Theme in LiteratureTheme in Literature

DefinitionDefinition

Theme:Theme:

The The central central messagemessage or or insight insight into lifeinto life revealed revealed through a literary work through a literary work

Examples:Examples:

Star WarsStar Wars• Good is more powerful than Good is more powerful than

EvilEvil

Finding NemoFinding Nemo• Children need freedom and Children need freedom and

trust to grow strongtrust to grow strong• Friendship helps make the Friendship helps make the

impossible possibleimpossible possible

Basic CharacteristicsBasic Characteristics

A theme may be A theme may be statedstated or or impliedimplied It’s a It’s a generalizedgeneralized statement statement Involves a Involves a statementstatement or or opinionopinion about the about the

topic topic Not every literary work has a theme Not every literary work has a theme There is usually There is usually no single correct no single correct

statementstatement of a work’s theme, though there of a work’s theme, though there can be incorrect ones.can be incorrect ones.

Themes may be Themes may be majormajor or or minorminor

A Theme is A Theme is NOTNOT

plot summaryplot summary A statement that contains A statement that contains

character’s namescharacter’s names or or eventsevents from from the story– it’s the story– it’s generalgeneral

a a motifmotif (usually a one-word (usually a one-word description)description)

Loneliness = motifLoneliness = motif

Loneliness kills hope = themeLoneliness kills hope = theme

Constructing a ThemeConstructing a Theme

ThemeTheme = = SubjectSubject + + Author’s comment on that Author’s comment on that subjectsubject

(major motif/concept in the story)(major motif/concept in the story)

(states author’s opinion, conclusions about the (states author’s opinion, conclusions about the subject)subject)

Using this formula will yield Using this formula will yield a complete sentencea complete sentence about a major idea in the work. about a major idea in the work.

SubjectSubject + + Author’s comment Author’s comment on that subjecton that subject

Prejudice Prejudice is difficult to overcome is difficult to overcome since it is essentially irrational. since it is essentially irrational.

How Do Authors Express How Do Authors Express Themes?Themes?

In 4 primary ways:In 4 primary ways: The way the The way the

characterscharacters change change The nature of the The nature of the

conflicts conflicts in the storyin the story How the How the conflicts are conflicts are

resolvedresolved The The statements statements

mademade by the narrator by the narrator or charactersor characters

Questions that help:Questions that help:

1.1. What are the traits of the main What are the traits of the main charactercharacter? ? What are his/her needs and desires? Do they What are his/her needs and desires? Do they stay the same all the way through? Are we stay the same all the way through? Are we supposed identify with him/her?supposed identify with him/her?

2.2. What are main and minor What are main and minor conflictsconflicts? ? Character vs. character? Character vs. Character vs. character? Character vs. society or nature? Character vs. self? society or nature? Character vs. self?

3.3. How are those How are those conflicts resolvedconflicts resolved??4.4. What did the main character learnWhat did the main character learn? How did ? How did

he/she change?he/she change?5.5. Are there any important symbols or motifs Are there any important symbols or motifs

that are repeated?that are repeated?6.6. Is the title a clue?Is the title a clue?