1. Theme is more than a statement of what a work is about - it is a statement of what a work means. It is an insight about human life that is revealed in a literary work.

2. For example, the literary piece may be about friendship, but the theme is what friendship means in that work.

3. Different people may state the theme or significance of the work in different ways. Examples: Fear: “Although difficult it is important to face fears head-on” Search for identity: “The search for identity is a life-long journey.”

4. “All fiction is a lie. Good fiction is the truth inside the lie.” Stephen King “The truth inside the lie” = the thing that can be true for all people, at all times, in all places (it’s UNIVERSAL).

5. Ask yourself these questions to help find theme: What is the subject of the novel? (this is usually one word or a short phrase) What comment does the novel make about that subject?

6. OR ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS: What does the main character learn from this experience? OR What SHOULD the main character have learned from this experience?

7. When working with the truth learned by the main character, change the subject to a universal subject and change all the pronouns and verbs to match.

8. In “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant, Mme. Loisel is People are resentful and unhappy when she they focuses on herself themselves, but she they becomes proud and joyful when she they works hard to do the right thing.

9. Finding a theme for “Plainswoman” Write one-word subjects examine how they are related write a “when a person” statement

10. “The Most Dangerous Game” Setting= the rules of the game; find details in the story that define the rules

11. Plot and setting: Make a plot chart for the story. how does the setting create conflict? (Man v. nature; man v. man; man v. self; man v. society) How does the setting affect the climax of the story? The resolution?

12. Setting and character: What are the rules of the game for Rainsford? How do they affect his choices? What does the setting reveal that already existed in his character? What does the setting help ENGENDER (give birth to) in his character?

13. Find a theme for “The Most Dangerous Game”

14. Theme: How does the setting set the stage for the theme? How does the setting help the theme have more impact?

16. Essay Assignment: Write a fully-developed essay that addresses the following prompt: You’ve read “Plainswoman” and “The Most Dangerous Game.” In which story does setting have the most impact?