THEME MESSAGE

DR. HUSNIAH SAHAMID

Theme

• General ideas or insight that a story reveals• Sometimes not so obvious• Not to be confused with a PLOT: • (what is the story about )

Theme and message• Theme linked to message• Theme : • message - the writer uses the story to convey

& communicate to the reader about life in general

• So - understanding the theme will also lead to the message

• Theme need not have: - a moral or a message• Reader may draw moral inferences - may not necessarily be writer’s message

Usually short story : • one unifying theme (sometimes two)• Tip: Why is the author writing the story?• Answers the question: "What's the point?”

• The question of why separates the physical act of construction

• from the philosophical reason for doing it.• Theme = the pattern of thought in the writer’s

work.

Theme & Strategy by Ronald B. Tobias

• the central concern around which a story is structured

• Writer’s view /thoughts about life; • Particular topic/issue• how people behave

• not intended to teach or preach. • not directly presented directly• extract it from the text: from

charactersaction, setting.

Identifying theme

Consider the following points:1. Look back at the title, from what you have read, what

does it indicate?2. Does the main character in any way change in the story? Does this main character arrive at nay eventual

realization/understanding. Are you (reader) left with any realization /understanding

that you did not have before?

Kennedy & Goia

• 3. Does the writer make nay general observations about life or human nature. Do the characters make any?

• (Caution; characters sometimes state opinions which the reader is not necessarily supposed to agree)

• 4. Does the story contain any esp. curious objects, mysterious flat charcters, significant animals, repeated names, song titles, awhatever that hint towards meanings larger than such things ordinarily have?

• In literary stories such symbols may point to central themes

• 5. When you have identified the theme – have you worded the theme into ageneral statement? (not described the plot!)

• 6. Is the statement true for the story as a whole? (not just a part of the story)

Kennedy & Goaia (1995) Literature.

Story of an hour

• Look at the title of the story• What are the repeated patterns & motifs?

• What is the theme in Story of an hour?

Theme:

• female self-discovery and identity• female identity and independence• Social oppression of women

Open windowLook at the title, does this

give a clue to the theme?

What is real and apparent Deception

Hector Hugo Munro (Saki)

Lamb to the Slaughter

• What is the theme of the story?

Theme: Lamb to the Slaughter

Theme of betrayal• Man betray wife (infidelity: lies, deceit)• Wife betray husband (murder)

• What is another possible theme?

Theme: Lamb to Slaughter

• betrayal, • Deception• Failed relationship• Appearance & Reality

Willa Sibert Cather

- Dec. 7, 1873 – April 24, 1947- taught English –high school• Said story based on experience with two boys in her classes. • connections to own background• grew up in a small town in Nebraska• hungered for a broader life experience.

Paul’s Case

• written by Willa Cather • around 1905 • While living in Pittsburgh

Theme – Paul’s case

• What is the theme of Paul’s case?• Why do you think so?

• Discuss

Theme

• Theme of alienation• Conformity an individuality• recurring theme in Willa Cather’s works • quest for spirituality

Consider:

• Paul flees to New York, with money • Checks into Waldorf Hotel• buys fine clothing and indulges in luxuries• But still - on the outside looking in, • an isolated observer.

Symbols

• Light and Dark• Water, Rain- symbolize the barrier that kept

Paul separate from the fantasy world and reality

• Red carnation - anger and rebellion - defiance of authority

Other literary devices

• Expected top also know:• imagery

imagery• Evoke image through descriptions using

senses• Visual imagery - sight• Auditory imagery - sound.• Onomatopoeia: a word that makes a sound.• Olfactory imagery - smell..• Gustatory imagery - taste.• Tactile imagery - touch.

Simile

• use words "like" or "as" • compare two different ideas

metaphor • similar to a simile• compares without use of • "like" or "as".

metaphor

• analogy between two objects /ideas - effects through association/comparison with

the object/idea - her hair was Persian silk glistening in the sun

extended metaphor (all the world’s a stage)implied metaphor ( shes’ a rose)Simile (as, like)mixed metaphor (bullseye or we fall like a

house of cards)implicit metaphor (shut your trap)

Other ?

• Foreshadowing• Alliteration • Onomatopoeia • Pun• Juxtaposition