1. What Is Theme? Theme Recurring Themes Identifying the Theme
Feature Menu
Theme
Recurring Themes
Identifying the Theme
Characters and Plot
Images
Your Turn

2. Theme
This student has just discovered the theme of the story he’s reading.
“What does it all mean?” We often ask this about stories or novels we read. When we ask this question, we’re thinking about theme.

3. Theme
The theme of a story is an important truth that the story reveals about life.
Theme gives a story its power.
Friendship can’t be bought.
Never give up, even when you’re faced with terrible odds.
Heroes can be found in unlikely places.

4. Theme The theme is not the plot. The theme is not the subject.
A young farm boy is offered the chance of a lifetime, but he’s afraid to leave behind his familiar life.
The theme is not the subject.
fear of the big city
The theme is the special message that a reader takes away from a story—a complete thought stated in a sentence.
Facing your fears is the only way to overcome them.

5. Theme
Quick Check
Study this story plot. What is the subject of the story? What is one possible theme?
Jamal, a drummer, and Fred, a guitarist, are best friends. They each enter a talent contest. The prize is a gift card to a local music store. Tensions arise because Jamal and Fred are in competition with each other. Then one day they have an idea. They decide to work on a song and perform it together. Jamal and Fred win the contest and happily share the gift card.
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6. Theme
Quick Check
Study this story plot. What is the subject of the story? What is one possible theme?
Jamal, a drummer, and Fred, a guitarist, are best friends. They each enter a talent contest. The prize is a gift card to a local music store. Tensions arise because Jamal and Fred are in competition with each other. Then one day they have an idea. They decide to work on a song and perform it together. Jamal and Fred win the contest and happily share the gift card.
Subject: friendship
Theme: Choosing teamwork over competition can save a friendship.

7. Recurring Themes
Since themes are general ideas about life, similar themes often show up in different stories.
For example, you’ve probably read more than one story that has a message about the importance of perseverance—of never giving up.

8. Recurring Themes
Ideas that occur in stories from different times and cultures are called recurring themes.
Seeing the beauty inside will reveal the outer beauty.

9. Recurring Themes
Recurring themes are based on ideas that have always been important to people.
sacrifice
family
friendship

10. Recurring Themes Quick Check
In each pair, identify the item that might be a recurring theme.
the power of love / Love can be found in small acts.
2. Dying often makes the way for new life. / death
3. courage / Sometimes it take courage to do the right thing.
4. Our traditions are part of who we are. / importance of heritage
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11. Recurring Themes Quick Check
In each pair, identify the item that might be a recurring theme.
the power of love / Love can be found in small acts.
2. Dying often makes the way for new life. / death
3. courage / Sometimes it takes courage to do the right thing.
4. Our traditions are part of who we are. / importance of heritage
the power of love / Love can be found in small acts.
2. Dying often makes the way for new life. / death
3. courage / Sometimes it takes courage to do the right thing.
4. Our traditions are part of who we are. / importance of heritage
the power of love / Love can be found in small acts.
2. Dying often makes the way for new life. / death
3. courage / Sometimes it takes courage to do the right thing.
4. Our traditions are part of who we are. / importance of heritage
the power of love / Love can be found in small acts.
2. Dying often makes the way for new life. / death
3. courage / Sometimes it takes courage to do the right thing.
4. Our traditions are part of who we are. / importance of heritage
A theme should be stated as a complete sentence and idea.

12. Identifying the Theme
Writers don’t usually state themes directly. They want you to infer themes from
the way the characters change
the discoveries the characters have made by the end of the story

13. Identifying the Theme
Think about the story “The Tortoise and the Hare.”
How do the characters change?
What do they learn?
How do these questions help you discover the theme?

14. Identifying the Theme
In the beginning of the story, the rabbit is boastful. After he loses the race to the tortoise, the rabbit learns that being fast is not enough; it is also important to be determined.
The tortoise remains slow and steady throughout the story, and he wins the race. The theme might be “A goal can be reached with slow, steady effort and determination.”

15. Identifying the Theme Quick Check
What is Reggie discovering in this passage?
That night his father arrived home late as usual. For the first time, Reggie noticed how tired and drawn his face looked, how low his shoulders drooped from fatigue. He forgot, for a moment, about the long absences. He forgot how angry he was that his father had missed his concert. Saying nothing, Reggie fixed a snack, set it down next to his drowsing father, and went quietly upstairs.
How does his discovery hint at the theme?
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16. Identifying the Theme Quick Check
What is Reggie discovering in this passage?
That night his father arrived home late as usual. For the first time, Reggie noticed how tired and drawn his face looked, how low his shoulders drooped from fatigue. He forgot, for a moment, about the long absences. He forgot how angry he was that his father had missed his concert. Saying nothing, Reggie fixed a snack, set it down next to his drowsing father, and went quietly upstairs.
Although he cannot spend much time with Reggie, his father shows his love by working hard to support his family.

17. Identifying the Theme Quick Check
How does his discovery hint at the theme?
That night his father arrived home late as usual. For the first time, Reggie noticed how tired and drawn his face looked, how low his shoulders drooped from fatigue. He forgot, for a moment, about the long absences. He forgot how angry he was that his father had missed his concert. Saying nothing, Reggie fixed a snack, set it down next to his drowsing father, and went quietly upstairs.
Reggie begins to see that there are different ways for people to show love and caring.

18. Characters and Plot The theme of a work
is usually revealed through the actions or thoughts of the characters
develops along with the plot of the story
1. Exposition
2. Rising Action
3. Climax
5. Resolution
4. Falling Action
Plot
Theme

19. Characters and Plot
Use what you know about plot and characters to help you identify the theme.
For example, one element of plot is conflict—the struggle or clash between opposing characters, forces, or emotions.

20. Characters and Plot
When characters face a conflict, they are often forced to make a decision about what is most important to them.
This decision may point to the theme of the story.

21. Characters and Plot Quick Check
What might Tyra’s conflict reveal about the theme?
Her mother always emphasized how important science was. She’d determined years ago that Tyra should one day become a chemist, just like her. Tyra liked science class just fine, but she was happiest when she was painting. In fact, her dearest wish was to go to art school. She wasn’t sure how—or even if—she could ever tell her mother about this dream.
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22. Characters and Plot Quick Check
What might Tyra’s conflict reveal about the theme?
Her mother always emphasized how important science was. She’d determined years ago that Tyra should one day become a chemist, just like her. Tyra liked science class just fine, but she was happiest when she was painting. In fact, her dearest wish was to go to art school. She wasn’t sure how—or even if—she could ever tell her mother about this dream.
Her conflict suggests that the theme might be about finding the courage to follow your heart—even when others don’t understand.

23. Images
By using descriptive language and details, a writer can create powerful pictures, or images.
The old room was dimly lit by a shaft of light from outside. He could see dust particles floating there. So light and so quiet, they announced the room’s vast emptiness. How long had it been?
The old room was dimly lit by a shaft of light from outside. He could see dust particles floating there. So light and so quiet, they announced the room’s vast emptiness. How long had it been?

24. Images Images will often give you hints about theme, too.
The old room was dimly lit by a shaft of light from outside. He could see dust particles floating there. So light and so quiet, they announced the room’s vast emptiness. How long had it been?
In this passage, the images hint that the theme might have to do with a lost past, feelings of emptiness, or loneliness.

25. Images
Which images of weather would point to a theme about conflict or anger?
flashing
peaceful
driving rain
gentle breeze
calm and clear
whipping winds
raging storm
crack of thunder
violent
warm sun

26. Images
Quick Check
Kayla watched her aunt and cousin waving goodbye, getting smaller and smaller as the train pulled away. As the speed increased, she listened to the repetitive sounds of the train’s movement. She felt the rails passing beneath her in a steady, rhythmic thumping. She thought about the awesome power of the locomotive. But she did not think about her destination.
What can you guess about the theme based on the images in this passage?
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27. Images
Quick Check
Kayla watched her aunt and cousin waving goodbye, getting smaller and smaller as the train pulled away. As the speed increased, she listened to the repetitive sounds of the train’s movement. She felt the rails passing beneath her in a steady, rhythmic thumping. She thought about the awesome power of the locomotive. But she did not think about her destination.
What can you guess about the theme based on the images in this passage?
The theme may have to do with a new phase in life or with moving forward in life.

28. Analyze Theme
Your Turn
Use a chart like the one below to help you determine the themes of two of your favorite movies or stories.
Work 1
Work 2
Subject
Theme

29. Analyze Theme
Your Turn
The chart below lists three examples of subjects and themes. Without thinking about any particular story, come up with three additional sets of possible subjects and themes.
Subject
Theme
growing up
Growing up means taking responsibility.
nature
Nature can be beautiful but deadly.
love
People sometimes express love through actions, not words.

30. Analyze Theme
Your Turn
With a partner, think of some themes you’ve encountered in books, movies, plays, and comics. What are the three most common recurring themes? What’s an example of each?
Theme
Example
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31. The End