1. Themes

2. Theme – What is it?
A central message, concern, or insight into life expressed through a literary work
Can be expressed in a one or two sentence statement about human beings or about life
May be stated directly or implied

3. What is it? (continued)
A theme is universal – it is not a statement about the book or a character
Interpretation uncovers the theme

4. Example of Theme
“Every man needs to feel allegiance to his native country, whether he always appreciates that country or not.”
From “A Man Without a Country” by Edward Hale pg. 185 in Prentice Hall Literature book

5. Example of Theme “Stay away from strangers.”
From Little Red Riding Hood by Grimm

6. Example of Theme
“Doing your work quickly and ineffectively can have dramatic consequences .”
From The Three Little Pigs by James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps