ENGLISH

ELEVENTH GRADE

Module 2 - Lesson 5

Theme

What makes a story linger in our hearts and minds long after we’ve read it? Often it is the idea on which the story is built—its theme. Theme is the central idea, or insight, about life or human behavior that a story reveals. In most stories, the theme is not stated directly. Instead, it is revealed to us through the characters’ experiences.

Finding the Theme

Keep the following guidelines in mind when you want to find and state the theme of a work.

The theme is not the same thing as the subject.

•     The subject is simply the topic. It can be stated in a single word, such as loyalty.

•     The theme makes some revelation about the subject and should be expressed in a sentence: “Loyalty to a leader is not always noble.”

Writers often express theme through what their characters learn. Does the main character change? Does a character realize something he or she did not know before? Does a character realize something he or she did not know before? What is the conflict, or struggle between opposing forces, that the main character faces? How is the conflict resolved? Sometimes the title gives clues. Does the title have a special meaning? Does it point to the theme? The theme applies to the entire work. Test your statement of the theme. Does it apply to the whole work, not just to parts of it? There is no single way to state the theme. People may express the same theme in different words. There may be different opinions about what the main theme is. The most meaningful literary works often have more than one theme.

Remember!

The theme is the main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work. A theme may be stated or implied. Theme differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in that it involves a statement or opinion about the topic. Not every literary work has a theme. Themes may be major or minor. A major theme is an idea the author returns to time and again. It becomes one of the most important ideas in the story. Minor themes are ideas that may appear from time to time.

It is important to recognize the difference between the theme of a literary work and the subject of a literary work. The subject is the topic on which an author has chosen to write. The theme, however, makes some statement about or expresses some opinion on that topic. For example, the subject of a story might be war while the theme might be the idea that war is useless.

Four ways in which an author can express themes are as follows:

1. Themes are expressed and emphasized by the way the author makes us feel. By sharing feelings of the main character you also share the ideas that go through his mind.

2. Themes are presented in thoughts and conversations. Authors put words in their character’s mouths only for good reasons. One of these is to develop a story’s themes. The things a person says are much on their mind. Look for thoughts that are repeated throughout the story.

3. Themes are suggested through the characters. The main character usually illustrates the most important theme of the story. A good way to get at this theme is to ask yourself the question, what does the main character learn in the course of the story?

4. The actions or events in the story are used to suggest theme. People naturally express ideas and feelings through their actions. One thing authors think about is what an action will "say". In other words, how will the action express an idea or theme?

Tip

As you look for a theme of a story, ask yourself, “What is the author’s big idea? What is the message that could be applied to other stories or to my own life?

Theme

Practicing exercise

I. Read then state the theme in one sentence:

Because of a feud over a piece of land, Ulrich and Georg are bitter enemies. One night they encounter each other on the disputed land. Each thinks of killing the other. Suddenly a huge tree falls and pins them both under its weight.

            At first the men threaten each other. After a while, however, they notice each other’s suffering, make a pact of friendship, and look forward to being rescued and living in peace. Then they are attacked by wolves.

                        Synopsis of “The Interlopers” by Saki

A.    Theme: _________________________________________________

Theme

Practicing exercise-Answer key

A.    Theme: If you wait until tragedy strikes to make peace with your enemies, you may not be able to enjoy the rewards of forgiveness.

Theme

Quiz

I.                 Read the following story. As you read, think about the theme.

Sharon woke up early. She’d been looking forward to the field trip to the animal shelter ever since Mr. Pérez had announced it.

“Sometimes,” Mr. Pérez had said, “people do not respect animals as living things. They purchase a little bunny or kitten because they think it’s cute. When the animal gets bigger and isn’t quite as cuddly or eats too much food, the owner doesn’t want it anymore. Then some people just let the animal go, expecting it to be able to fend for itself.” Mr. Pérez hoped that his students would learn to treat animals responsibly.

B.     Mark the sentence that best states the theme of this passage:

1.      Everyone should have a pet.

2.      Teachers who care are the best teachers.

3.      Many animals are abandoned or mistreated.

4.      Animals are living things and should be treated with respect.

Theme

Quiz-Answer key

Animals are living things and should be treated with respect.

Theme

Test

One's True Form
By Jody Williams                                                                                                                

¹      His mother was ugly and his father was ugly, but Shrek was uglier than the
two of them put together. By the time he toddled, Shrek could spit flame
a full ninety-nine yards and vent smoke from either ear. With just a look
he cowed the reptiles in the swamp. Any snake dumb enough to bite him
instantly got convulsions and died. ~William Steig 
²     Does this sound familiar? It is the beginning of a book by William Steig. The book is called Shrek. Not many people know that Shrek was a book before it was a movie. If viewers watch closely, William Steig is honored at the end of Shrek 2. In the credits it says, "In memory of William Steig."
³     William Steig was born on November 14, 1907. He was born in New York City. When he was young, he liked to read. He also liked to paint. His parents encouraged him to be an artist. William graduated from high school. He went on to college. He spent time at three different colleges. He never graduated from any of them.
⁴     William grew up during the depression years. His family did not have enough money. William needed to work to help his family. He drew cartoons. He sold his first one to the New Yorker magazine. He continued to work for the magazine for many years. He contributed over sixteen-hundred cartoons. He also designed over one-hundred magazine covers. Newsweek magazine called him "The King of Cartoons."
⁵     William Steig has been called a dreamer. When he was younger, he wanted to grow up and live at sea. Over the years he wanted to be an athlete. He wanted to be a banjo-player and a traveler. He wanted to live on an island. At sixty-one years old, William Steig tried something new. He became a children's book author. Many of the characters in his books live his dreams.
⁶     William Steig's first book for children was a letter-puzzle book. It was called C D B!. He then wrote a book called Roland the Minstrel Pig. It is a book about a pig that sings and plays the lute. He leaves his current life in search of a more exciting one. He encounters trouble. He experiences loneliness. In the end, a king discovers Roland's talent. He finds his new life.
⁷     William Steig won awards for his work. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is a Caldecott Medal winner. The story is about a donkey. His name is Sylvester. He collects pebbles. One day Sylvester finds a red pebble. He is allowed to make a wish with it. He cannot wait to show his parents. On his way home, he comes upon a lion. Without thinking, Sylvester wishes he were a rock. In the end, his parents help him to return to his true form. Some experts say that this story can be compared to another well-known story, Pinocchio.
⁸     Many of William Steig's characters are animals. They have heroic qualities. They struggle with confidence but in the end find out how powerful they actually are. William also wrote about things that were important to him. He wrote about nature. He wrote about home and family. He wrote about friendship.
⁹     William Steig was married to his best friend. Many say they were a perfect match. She was an artist. They worked together on collections of stories. William Steig was also a father. He had three children. He died on October 3, 2003. Experts say that William Steig enjoyed his life. He enjoyed being an artist. He enjoyed writing for children. He enjoyed keeping his true form.

 

1.   Shrek was a book before it became a movie.

a.      False

b.      True

2.    If William Steig were alive today, how old would he be?

3.         What job did William Steig get to help his family during the depression years?

1. A pizza delivery person
2. A door-to-door salesman
3. A cartoonist for a magazine
4. A waiter in a restaurant

4.         Why was William Steig given the title "The King of Cartoons" by Newsweek magazine?
5.         Over the years, William Steig dreamed of ______. 

1. Becoming a banjo-player  
2. Living on an island
3. Becoming an athlete
4. All of the above

6.      William Steig became a children's author ______ he was fifty years old.

a.      After

b.      Before

7.  What is Roland the pig searching for in Roland the Minstrel Pig?
8.  Describe how Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is similar to Pinocchio.

9.  Many of William Steig's characters are ______.

a.      Astronauts

b.      Race car drivers

c.      Animals

d.      Professional athletes

10.       William Steig continues to write books today.

a.        False

b.        True

Theme

Test-Answer key
1    True
2  Answers may vary depending upon current year. He was born November 14, 1907.
3    A cartoonist for a magazine
4  William Steig worked for New Yorker magazine for many years. He created over sixteen-hundred cartoons and over one hundred covers for the magazine.
5    All of the above
6  b, He wrote his first book for children when he was sixty-one years old.
7  Roland is searching for a more exciting life.
8  possible answer: The characters in both stories wish they were something that they were not. In the end, both are returned to their true form and learn to appreciate what they have.
9    Animals
10   False