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Finding Theme

Theme Statements: Strong examples

“In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, one theme is how curiosity can combine with imagination to give children insight into that which they don’t know.” (Nicely said, David!)

“In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the author introduces how courage can sometimes be found in the person you least expect as a theme.” (Bravo, Raelene!)

“In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the author introduces the value of courage as a theme.” (Well done Raina!)

“In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, one them is the value and importance of courage.”

Theme statements: needing some work

“In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the author introduces courage and self persuasion. Even though you get pushed to the ground you dust off your shoulders and hold your head high.”

“In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, one of the themes is courage is a mindset not how physically strong or brave someone is.”

“In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, one theme is when you use courage it’s not always something big.”

Some awkward sentences:

“What he is saying is any man can hold a gun and shoot, but only the truly courageous can die knowing they have nothing or stick to what you believe in.”

“Bravery, again it do go with what you believe, or to just stand up for yourself and go for it.”

“In chapter nine, Atticus describes to Scout that if he doesn’t defend this black man, he couldn’t live with himself, and to say this, Scout asked the question, “You mean if you didn’t defend that man, Jem and me wouldn’t have to mind you anymore?”

A common problem…

“Atticus shoots the dog right between the eyes, and to me that is courage in away because you are saving not just you’re life but your friends and family to, and that is what Atticus did he saved his familys life and all his friends.”

“This part of the book is where Scout and Jem get to witness their father be a true hero when it comes to the matter of life and death. Atticus mustered up the courage to do something he hadn’t done in years in order to protect the ones he loves.”

“As Mr. Tate handed him the rifle, it doesn’t take long for Atticus to kill Tim Johnson, the rabid dog, showing not only bravery but courage, doing what he thought was right and saving/helping many people in Maycomb County.”

Remember what Atticus said in Chapter 11, and the crucially important message the author is trying to impart to the reader:

“[Mrs. Dubose] had her own views about things, a lot different from mine, maybe…Son, I told you if you wouldn’t have lost your head I’d have you go read to her. I wanted you to see something about her—I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Mrs. Dubose won, all 98 pounds of her. According to her views, she died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew.”

Reminders:Cite the page number correctly!

Example: In chapter nine, Atticus explains courage to Scout by saying that it is “when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what” (p. 112).

DO NOT USE “YOU,” “YOUR,” “I,” “ME,” “MINE,” ETC.

Analyze and explain how your chosen quotes demonstrate how your chosen theme is present in the book—don’t just summarize events!

Make sure that the quotes you choose actually demonstrate the theme, and aren’t just helping you to summarize what happened!

Most important reminder: textual evidence paragraph organization!If this is your theme statement, what evidence might you

use to prove it?

Theme: “In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, one theme is the value of courage when it is shown in individuals fighting battles they know they might lose.”

At the end of chapter 11, when Atticus and Jem are speaking about the recent death of Mrs. Dubose, Atticus understands that Jem perhaps had the idea that courage was when his father shot a dog, but wishes to set him straight. Atticus explains to his son that real courage is “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway” (p. 112). When Atticus defines courage for Jem, it is also the author defining courage for her reader. This interaction between father and son perfectly expresses her theme of real courage.

At the end of chapter 11, when Atticus and Jem are speaking about the recent death of Mrs. Dubose, Atticus understands that Jem perhaps had the idea that courage was when his father shot a dog, but wishes to set him straight. Atticus explains to his son that real courage is “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway” (p. 112). When Atticus defines courage for Jem, it is also the author defining courage for her reader. This interaction between father and son perfectly expresses her theme of real courage, for she provides a clear explanation of courage, and a clear example of courage in Mrs. Dubose.

1.Provide a little background, set the scene for where this quote comes from in the book

2.Smoothly integrate the quote into your own sentence—don’t just plop it in there!

3.Cite the page number4.Explain how this quote demonstrates how your chosen

theme is present in the book. Make the link clear between the quote and your theme.

After the author provides her definition of courage, and helps her reader to understand how it is valued in the world of this book, the reader is able to make the connection to another example of courage that fits this definition. After Atticus tells his son what real courage is, the reader cannot help but think of what Atticus himself has done that is also courageous. In a conversation with his brother Jack, Atticus admits that he “will lose the case….” (p. ___). Just as with Mrs. Dubose, Atticus is beginning something he knows he will lose, but he begins anyway and is determined to see it through. Atticus is the moral heart and soul of this book, and it ….