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Theme - Literary Element

The document discusses how to identify the theme of a story. It explains that theme refers to a story's meaning or insight about life. It provides tips for determining a story's theme such as analyzing the main character, understanding the conflict, and how it is resolved. The document notes that theme is generally not directly stated but is expressed through events, characters' actions and thoughts.

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Demir Basaktar
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78 views17 pages

Theme - Literary Element

The document discusses how to identify the theme of a story. It explains that theme refers to a story's meaning or insight about life. It provides tips for determining a story's theme such as analyzing the main character, understanding the conflict, and how it is resolved. The document notes that theme is generally not directly stated but is expressed through events, characters' actions and thoughts.

Uploaded by

Demir Basaktar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Examining

Theme
What is theme?
Theme refers to a story's meaning -
a general statement about life that can be
applied to any person.
Theme
Points to Remember:
▧ Events in a story represent ideas.
▧ Fiction explores important issues.
▧ Stories apply to many readers.
▧ Fiction is often instructional in nature.
▧ Theme is the central idea or insight of a written
work.
Theme
Theme is generally not
stated explicitly (or
directly) in the text, but
instead is expressed
through conflict and the
characters’ actions, words,
and thoughts.
What Theme is NOT
▧ Stated in a single word.
▧ Applicable only to the story itself.
▧ The story’s subject.
Theme
A theme of a story may
not necessarily be a belief
that you have.

The story’s controlling


theme or insight about
life may be something you
disagree with, but it is
still a theme.
Theme Vs. Subject

A work’s subject refers to the broad topic.


The subject is generally stated in 1-2 words.

Example of a Story’s Example of a Story’s


Subject: Theme:
War War is a curse for
humanity.
So… How do we
determine the theme
of a story?
How to Identify Theme

Ready to identify theme?


First, shine a light on the text!
Identifying Theme
Step One

Understand the main character. Analyzing the main character is an


important part of discovering the theme. Describe the traits of main
character. Examine if the reader is supposed to identify with the main
character. Is the character someone the reader doesn't (or shouldn't)
want to be?
Identifying Theme

Step Two

Conflict in a short story always involves the main character. The


conflict can be between the main character and another, man vs.
society, or man vs. nature, or within the main character himself.
Determine specifically who or what the main character is struggling
against.
Identifying Theme

Step Three
Know how the conflict is resolved. The resolution can provide a
big clue as to the theme of a story. Who wins the conflict is the
writer's way of telling the reader which force was better. If an
evil main character, one you wouldn't admire, wins out over
some force of nature, the theme will have a negative slant.
Identifying Theme

Step Four
What did the main character learn in the story? What insight did
he or she gain?

Now, generalize that lesson in a declarative statement that


applies to everyone.
Sample Literature Theme

True love can overcome any challenge.

Be careful how you treat others.

Be happy with what you have in life.

Work hard and you will achieve.


Active Reading Strategies to Infer Theme

Main Character Conflicts and Impact


Analysis Resolutions On Main
Impact Facts,
Character
Dates
Watch the video below to learn more
tips on how to identify the theme of a
story:
Credits

▧ Resource created by Teen Tech University, ©2016

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