Universal Themes in LiteratureUniversal Themes in Literature

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 generalization about people or about lifeor about life that is communicated that is communicated through the literary work.through the 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 , the reader is told what the theme of the reader is told what the theme of the selection is.selection is.

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

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What is the theme?Jenny Puchovier was so excited. She had a

pack of Starburst in her lunch and she had been looking forward to eating them all morning. Lunch finally came and Jenny sat down to eat her Starbursts when her friend Yudy sat next to her. “Let me get the pink ones,” asked Yudy. Jenny liked the pink ones best, but she thought Yudy was funny and Jenny wanted Yudy to like her, so Jenny gave Yudy all of her pink Starbursts. Before Jenny was done giving Yudy the pink ones, Carrie sat on the other side of Jenny. “Let me get the red and the orange ones, Jenny. Remember when I gave you that Snickers?” Jenny didn’t remember that, though she did remember when Carrie ate a whole Snickers in front of her, but Jenny thought Carrie was cool, so she gave her the red and the orange Starbursts. Now that she only had the yellow ones, Jenny wasn’t so excited about eating starbursts anymore.

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Identifying Themes

Themes are not explicit (clearly stated).

Themes are implied.

Themes are bigger than the story.

Big World of the Theme.Applies to the “Real” World.

SmallWorldof theStory

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Themes are about the big picture.

Not “Yellow Starbursts taste bad”Not “Yudy and Carrie are bad friends.”Think BIGGER. Find “Real” World advice.

Big World of the Theme.Applies to the “Real” World.

SmallWorldof theStory

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• Through metaphor• Through simile

• Through personification• Through tone of voice

• Through symbols

Sometimes implied

A THEME is...

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• Life is a yo-yo. It's a series of ups and downs.

Implied through metaphors

A THEME is...

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Dream DeferredWhat happens to a dream

deferred?Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore—and then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?Or crust and sugar over—like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load

Or does it just explode?

- Langston

Hughes

Implied through simile

A THEME is...

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Sleeping in the Forest by Mary Oliver

I thought the earth remembered me,

she took me back so tenderly,arranging her dark skirts, her

pocketsfull of lichens and seeds.

---

Implied through personification

A THEME is...

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Implied through tone of voice

A THEME is...

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Implied through symbols

A THEME is...

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.

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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.

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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?

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

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 more Working as a team or group is more powerful than working alonepowerful 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 get There are times when you should get

revenge on your enemiesrevenge 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 all The force is the energy that binds all

life togetherlife together