1. T HEME & T HEMATIC T HESIS S TATEMENTS

2. W HAT IS A T HEME ? an idea about life, life situations, and human behavior. It is not directly stated; it is inferred (figured out by looking closely at the story). Most stories, plays, novels, and poems have more than one theme. Disclaimer: Some works, like mysteries, might be intended primarily for entertainment and not have a clear theme. To figure out the themes, you can ask some of the following questions: What is this story really about? What does this story say about people or human nature? What stage of life or aspect of living is this story about? What ideas can I get about themes by thinking about the title? What do you think the author is trying to say to people by writing this story? What lesson(s) has the main characters learned so far? What emotions do you feel as a reader? What thoughts are you thinking about the people and events in the story? Why do you think the author wants you to feel this way? What kinds of universal human experiences are seen in the story? (An experience that is universal means that lots of people can relate to it or have had similar experiences.)

3. T HEME VS. T HEME S TATEMENT : The theme of a story is a general idea about life or people summed up in just a few words. A theme statement is a full sentence that clearly states how this theme or idea applies to all people. It is an observation of human behavior. It does NOT mention any particular piece of writing. THEME THEME STATEMENT (General Idea) (Sentence about human behavior) JealousyJealousy often leads to cruel behavior. Death/LossThe death of innocence is inevitable. LoveUnconditional love withstands any obstacle. DiversityCelebrating diversity allows people to embrace their differences.

4. A S TATEMENT OF T HEME IS NOT: 1. ONE WORD. That is a topic.  Bad example: The theme was love. NO! 2. A definition  Bad example: Love is when you have feelings for someone. NO! 3. Specifically about one story or character; rather, it is universal.  Bad example: Greasers and Socs don’t get along. NO! 4. A directive/order  Bad Example: You will destroy those around you when put in a position of power. 5. Always positive  Bad Example: When a person is faced with life or death, they will save themselves rather than those around them.

5. A S TATEMENT OF T HEME SHOULD : Have a subject and a verb. Be a generality about life. Be applicable to character and action in the novel as well as people and life in general.

6. C ORRECT STATEMENT OF THEME ? In “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers,” Rich uses imagery to reveal the theme that the talent of women was not accepted or recognized as something ground- breaking in the 1900’s. NO! This theme is too specific. How could it be fixed? In “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers,” Rich uses personification of fanciful tigers to convey the theme of inequality that causes Aunt Jennifer to be unhappy in her marriage. NO! This theme doesn’t incorporate a subject and a verb and isn’t a generality about life. How could it be fixed?

7. U SE THE FOLLOWING AS A TEMPLATE : ______________________ is a novel/short story/ poem/essay about __________________. It shows that ____________________________________________. 1. Place a single word or a short phrase (an abstract idea or concept) in the “about” blank. 2. Then explain the truth about the human condition as it relates to the work. 3. The sentence should show insight into the issues in the novel. Ask yourself, “What is the book really about?” 4. Do not complete the sentence with a plot summary.

8. E XAMPLES : The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a book about the hypocrisy of slavery. It shows that racism distorts the oppressors as much as it does those who are oppressed. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn reveals the paradox of slavery: it distorts the oppressors as much as it does those who are oppressed. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a book about moral education. It shows that only through deep introspection, away from society, can an individual learn how he truly wants to live. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn teaches that true moral education can be achieved through deep introspection, as an individual learns how he truly wants to live.

9. Y OUR T URN ! Read the following attempts at thematic thesis statements. If they are written correctly, discuss their positive attributes. If there are problems, what are they? Then correct them using what you have learned, and write the corrected sentences on your notes.

10. L OVE Love doesn’t always allow a happy ending. Where there is love there is also hurt. Even through the darkest of times and betrayal, love cannot leave one’s own feelings. Nothing good comes from love; it only stabs you in the back. Love cannot overcome every obstacle. Love is often unconventional and usually appears when we are not looking for it. Love can both heal and destroy. Love is not always synonymous with happiness, and love cannot be easily found. Love makes a person blind.

11. F EELING VS J UDGMENT Passion interferes with reason and moral responsibility. Often there is competition between the mind and the heart. Reason overcomes passion. Honesty can mend a broken heart. Education provides emotional satisfaction separated from emotional hardships of the world.

12. S OCIAL C LASS & S OCIAL R ULES True love doesn’t depend on status or wealth, but instead on character. Social standing shouldn’t dictate who you love. Class distinctions and societal expectations can hold back true love. Class distinctions limit a person from being who they really are. Social class does not represent the value of a person.

13. F AMILY Family is not always what one is born into. Family must accept each other as their own or no mutual respect will be given. Having family is worth more than having a large sum of money. Family is not determined by blood, but by love. A family is a group of people who love each other, not those who are related. Family may always be blood, but those who show love and care. Family helps each individual find their identity. Without family, there is no guidance.

14. I NDEPENDENCE & S ELFHOOD Sometimes the choices made are not the choices wanted. To stand with someone else, one must first stand alone. Respect for one’s self is more important than the opinions of others.

15. H OME The house a person was raised in may not be their home, home is where a person feels loved and respected. Home is where the heart is, unless it belongs to someone, then home will always be with them. Lacking of a home leads to lack of safety, comfort, and loving relationships. Home isn’t always where someone feels comfortable and safe, but also having relationships with others.

16. J ANE E YRE T HEMATIC T HESIS S TATEMENTS Jane strives to find a balance between servitude and independence. Real love grows out of the mutual respect of free minds. Personal virtues are better indicators of character than class status. Real love is born out of servitude. Striving for equality requires sacrifice. Virtuous faith does not consume the individual’s personality. One can be virtuous and religious but also exercise the freedom to love and feel.

17. J ANE E YRE T HEMATIC T HESIS S TATEMENTS Finding the balance between independence and submission can be difficult. Unchecked passion can override reason and moral responsibility. Passion can make a person silly or dangerous, while repression can make a person cold; therefore, it’s best to avoid either extreme. A life of love can also be a life of serious purpose. The line between the supernatural and the spiritual is blurry and very thin.

18. A BSTRACT I DEAS & C ONCEPTS TO C ONSIDER : Alienation Ambition Appearance vs. Reality Custom, tradition Betrayal Bureaucracy Chance, Fate, Luck Children Courage vs. Cowardice Defeat, Failure Disillusionment Dreams, Fantasies Duty Education Escape Exile Faith, Loss of Faith Falsity, Pretense Family, Parenthood Free Will Games, Contests, Sports Greed

19. A BSTRACT I DEAS & C ONCEPTS TO C ONSIDER : Guilt Heaven, Paradise, Utopia Home Initiation Illusion Innocence Instinct Journey Law vs. Justice Loneliness Loyalty Materialism Memory Mobs Mysterious Persistence, Perseverance Patriotism Poverty Prejudice Prophecy Reason Repentance

20. A BSTRACT I DEAS & C ONCEPTS TO C ONSIDER : Resistance, Rebellion Revenge, Retribution Ritual & Ceremony Scapegoat, Victim Social Status Supernatural Time, Eternity War Women, Feminism