Universal Themes in LiteratureUniversal Themes in Literature

Relating the screenplay and story of Relating the screenplay and story of Star Wars Star Wars

to other novels we have read.to other novels we have read.

What is a Theme?What is a Theme?

A theme is a A theme is a central messagecentral message revealed revealed through a literary work.through a literary work.

It is a It is a lessonlesson that the selection teaches or a that the selection teaches or a major point that the selection as a whole is major point that the selection as a whole is about.about.

It is a It is a generalization about people or about generalization about people or about lifelife that is communicated through the that is communicated through the literary work.literary work.

The Theme can be The Theme can be Directly Stated or ImpliedDirectly Stated or Implied

When a theme is When a theme is directly stateddirectly stated, the reader , the reader is told what the theme of the selection is.is told what the theme of the selection is.

When a theme of a work is When a theme of a work is impliedimplied, readers , readers think about what the work seems to say think about what the work seems to say about nature of people or about life.about nature of people or about life.

Important things to noteImportant things to note about Theme about Theme

There is usually no single correct statement There is usually no single correct statement of a work’s theme, though there can be of a work’s theme, though there can be incorrect ones.incorrect ones.

A long work, like a novel, full-length play A long work, like a novel, full-length play or screen play may have several themes.or screen play may have several themes.

Not all literary works have themes - a work Not all literary works have themes - a work meant only to entertain may have no theme meant only to entertain may have no theme at at.at at.

Understanding the difference Understanding the difference between Main Idea, Subject,between Main Idea, Subject,

Topic and Theme: Topic and Theme:

Main IdeaMain Idea

The Main Idea is any idea that is The Main Idea is any idea that is particularly important or central in a particularly important or central in a

written work.written work.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Subject = TopicSubject = Topic

The The Subject Subject or or TopicTopic is what the is what the selection as a whole is about.selection as a whole is about.

And remember the And remember the ThemeTheme is the is the message or lesson that the author is message or lesson that the author is

trying to communicate.trying to communicate.

Main IdeaMain Idea

The Subject/Topic and Theme The Subject/Topic and Theme

fall under the umbrella fall under the umbrella

of the Main Idea.of the Main Idea.

QuickTime™ and aGraphics decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

MAIN IDEA

Subject/Topic Theme

What the selection as a wholeis about

The lesson or message theauthor is trying to make

When we learn about literature When we learn about literature we often ask many questions:we often ask many questions:

What is genre?What is genre?

Why read?Why read?

Why do authors write?Why do authors write?

Do people read and write for the same Do people read and write for the same

reasons?reasons?

What is Genre?What is Genre?

A genre is a category or type of storyA genre is a category or type of story

There are 3 major genres: There are 3 major genres:

Poetry, Prose, DramaPoetry, Prose, Drama

Each major genre is divided into smaller Each major genre is divided into smaller

genresgenres Genre is essentially the kind of storyGenre is essentially the kind of story

3 Major Genres3 Major Genres

PoetryPoetry

ProseProse

DramaDrama

Lyric poetry, Concrete Poetry, Lyric poetry, Concrete Poetry, Dramatic PoetryDramatic Poetry

Fiction (novels and short stories)Fiction (novels and short stories) Nonfiction (Biography, Nonfiction (Biography,

autobiography, letters, essays)autobiography, letters, essays)

Serious Drama/Tragedy, Comic Serious Drama/Tragedy, Comic drama, Melodrama, Farcedrama, Melodrama, Farce

Why Read?Why Read?

To gain knowledge, get facts/ideasTo gain knowledge, get facts/ideas Entertainment/pleasureEntertainment/pleasure To forget somethingTo forget something To transport yourself to your own fantasylandTo transport yourself to your own fantasyland To be aloneTo be alone To relaxTo relax We have toWe have to To learn about lifeTo learn about life

Why Write?Why Write?

To share stories/ideasTo share stories/ideas To keep history aliveTo keep history alive Express our feelingsExpress our feelings To say what we knowTo say what we know To entertain othersTo entertain others To communicateTo communicate To tell about yourselfTo tell about yourself To express yourselfTo express yourself

Novels We Have Read:Novels We Have Read:

Brain’s WinterBrain’s Winter

Son of the MobSon of the Mob

NightNight

To Kill a MockingbirdTo Kill a Mockingbird

The lord of the FliesThe lord of the Flies

The Secret Life of The Secret Life of BeesBees

Much Ado About Much Ado About NothingNothing

Catcher in the RyeCatcher in the Rye

Common Themes in LiteratureCommon Themes in Literature

The only person you can truly trust The only person you can truly trust is yourselfis yourself

It is important to follow your It is important to follow your instinctsinstincts

Man is inherently evilMan is inherently evil Man is inherently goodMan is inherently good Its not always good to listen to Its not always good to listen to

societysociety Its important to never give upIts important to never give up Human beings are products of their Human beings are products of their

societysociety It’s a crime to kill innocenceIt’s a crime to kill innocence The innocent aren’t always treated The innocent aren’t always treated

fairlyfairly It is important to stand up for what It is important to stand up for what

you believe inyou believe in

Working as a team or group is Working as a team or group is more powerful than working alonemore powerful than working alone

Be careful who you dateBe careful who you date Be careful who your friends areBe careful who your friends are Trust your instinctsTrust your instincts Do what you must to surviveDo what you must to survive Follow your imaginationFollow your imagination There are times when you should There are times when you should

get revenge on your enemiesget revenge on your enemies Life doesn’t always have happy Life doesn’t always have happy

endingsendings The force is a metaphor for The force is a metaphor for

spiritualityspirituality The force is the energy that binds The force is the energy that binds

all life togetherall life together