1. Unit 1: Fiction Theme Lecture Notes Outline [Mirrors & Windows logo]
Literary Analysis
Unit 1: Fiction
Theme
Level IV
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2. Fiction is like a spider’s web, attached ever so lightly perhaps, but still attached to life at all four corners.
—Virginia Woolf
Lecture Notes Outline
Fiction is like a spider’s web, attached ever so lightly perhaps, but still attached to life at all four corners. —Virginia Woolf
Navigation Note
In all Unit 1 Literary Analysis presentations, slides 3–7 introduce the genre of fiction. If you choose to skip the genre introduction, use the “<skip intro>” button below the quotation. This button will advance the presentation to the introduction of the specific literary element on slide 8.
Extension Options
Have students respond to other famous quotations about fiction:
• “Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “Fiction is the truth inside the lie.” —Stephen King
• “The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.” —Tom Clancy
• “But I hate things all fiction…. There should be some foundation of fact for the most airy fabric—and pure invention is but the talent of a liar.” —Lord Byron
• “Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn’t.” —Mark Twain
• “Detail is the lifeblood of fiction.” —John Gardner
<skip intro>

3. What is fiction?
Fiction is a genre, or category of literary composition, that includes any work of prose that tells an invented or imaginary story.
Lecture Notes Outline
What is fiction? Fiction is a genre, or category of literary composition, that includes any work of prose that tells an invented or imaginary story.
Extension Options
• Explain the difference between commercial fiction and literary fiction.
• Tell students that the American Library Association sponsors the John Newbery Medal, an award given annually to the author of the most distinguished American children’s book, and the Randolph Caldecott Medal, an award given annually to the artist of the most distinguished American children’s book. One criterion for this award is that the nominated book be suitable for children through age 14. For a list of past medal winners, have students visit the American Library Association website at

4. What are the two main forms of fiction?
The two main forms of fiction are the short story and the novel.
Lecture Notes Outline
What are the two main forms of fiction? The two main forms of fiction are the short story and the novel.
Extension Options
Ask students to consider the difficulties of writing a short story versus writing a novel.

5. What are your favorite types of fiction?
Realistic fiction
Mystery
Science fiction
Romance
Historical fiction
Horror
Fantasy
Sports fiction
Lecture Notes Outline
What are your favorite types of fiction? Different types of fiction that students are familiar with include realistic fiction, mystery, science fiction, romance, historical fiction, horror, fantasy, and sports fiction.
Extension Options
• Discuss with students their experiences with fiction, their favorite types of fiction and why they like them, and the hallmarks of memorable fiction.
• Take an informal classroom poll to determine which type of fiction is most popular among students.

6. What are the purposes of fiction?
To entertain readers
To enlighten readers by sharing the human experience
To provide readers with an escape from reality
To teach readers empathy
To help readers explore unknown worlds
Lecture Notes Outline
What are the purposes of fiction? Fiction can entertain readers, enlighten readers by sharing the human experience, provide readers with an escape from reality, teach readers empathy, and help readers explore unknown worlds.
Extension Options
• Have students discuss the different purposes of reading fiction and nonfiction and the merits of reading each genre.
• Ask students what factors have contributed to the recent popularity of reading fiction. Possible answers: book clubs, appealing book series (Harry Potter, Twilight), and media based on fictional books.

7. What are the five elements of fiction?
Plot
Point of view
Characters
Setting
Theme
Lecture Notes Outline
What are the five elements of fiction? Plot, point of view, characters, setting, theme

8. Theme
Theme is the central idea or perception about life that is revealed through a literary work.
Theme is also known as the author’s message.
Lecture Notes Outline
Theme is the central idea or perception about life that is revealed through a literary work. Theme is also known as the author’s message.
Theme answers the question, “What is the point of the story?”

9. To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme
To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme. No great and enduring volume can ever be written on the flea, though many there be that have tried it.
—Herman Melville
Think of a story whose theme had a significant impact on you. Why was it so meaningful? What makes a story’s theme powerful for readers?
Lecture Notes Outline
To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme. No great and enduring volume can ever be written on the flea, though many there be that have tried it.—Herman Melville
Think of a story whose theme had a significant impact on you. Why was it so meaningful? What makes a story’s theme powerful for readers?
Navigation Note
An interactive text field has been provided to record student responses. Please note that any text you insert will remain in the text field unless manually deleted.

10. Stated Theme
When a story’s theme or perception about life is stated directly by the author, it is known as a stated theme.
Stated themes are rare
in fiction.
Stated themes most
commonly occur in
traditional literature, such
as fairy tales and fables.
Lecture Notes Outline
When a story’s theme or perception about life is stated directly by the author, it is known as a stated theme. Stated themes are rare in fiction. Stated themes most commonly occur in traditional literature, such as fairy tales and fables.
Fairy tales and fables use stated themes because this type of literature has roots in the oral tradition. These tales were passed down from generation to generation as a means of illustrating morals and values to children. For example, in the fable “The Tortoise and the Hare,” the stated theme that appears at the end of the tale says, “Slow and steady wins the race.” For fairy tales and fables, the theme is the moral or lesson to be learned from the story.

11. Stated Theme However, a few works of fiction do use stated themes.
In the following excerpt from “The Gift of the Magi,” the author tells readers what ideas to take away from the story.
Lecture Notes Outline
However, a few works of fiction do use stated themes. In the following excerpt from “The Gift of the Magi,” the author tells readers what ideas to take away from the story.
But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi. —from “The Gift of the Magi,” by O. Henry
But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.
—from “The Gift of the Magi,”
by O. Henry

12. Implied Theme
When a story’s theme or perception about life must be inferred by readers, it is known as an implied theme.
Readers must determine an implied theme by finding underlying truths or meanings behind the characters and their actions.
In fiction, implied themes are more common than stated themes.
Lecture Notes Outline
When a story’s theme or perception about life must be inferred by readers, it is known as an implied theme. Readers must determine an implied theme by finding underlying truths or meanings behind the characters and their actions. In fiction, implied themes are more common than stated themes.
For example, in “The Necklace,” Guy de Maupassant presents his story but allows readers to make inferences, or guesses, about his intent and perception of the events in the story. An implied theme that readers might infer is that acquiring money and wealth should not be the primary focus of life.

13. Implied Theme
In the following excerpt from “The Scarlet Ibis,” the reader must infer the theme by interpreting the underlying meaning of the main character’s thoughts.
There is within me (and with sadness I have watched it in others) a knot of cruelty borne by the stream of love, much as our blood sometimes bears the seed of our destruction, and at times I was mean to Doodle. One day I took him up to the barn loft and showed him his casket, telling him how we all had believed he would die.
—from “The Scarlet Ibis,”
by James Hurst
Lecture Notes Outline
In this excerpt from “The Scarlet Ibis,” the reader must infer the theme by interpreting the underlying meaning of the main character’s thoughts.
There is within me (and with sadness I have watched it in others) a knot of cruelty borne by the stream of love, much as our blood sometimes bears the seed of our destruction, and at times I was mean to Doodle. One day I took him up to the barn loft and showed him his casket, telling him how we all had believed he would die. —from “The Scarlet Ibis,” by James Hurst
The narrator of “The Scarlet Ibis” suggests an important theme when he reflects on his conflicting feelings about his younger brother, Doodle. The narrator’s reference to “a knot of cruelty borne by the stream of love” describes a universal truth: the love/hate relationship that often exists between siblings.

14. Determining Theme
A work of fiction can have a single theme or multiple themes.
To determine the theme, readers must find the connections between
the story’s elements
and the human experience.
Lecture Notes Outline
A work of fiction can have a single theme or multiple themes. To determine the theme, readers must find the connections between the story’s elements and the human experience.

15. Determining Theme from Story Elements
The story elements that offer clues to the theme of a literary work include
characters
plot
point of view
setting
symbolism
The following slides explore how these elements help to express a story’s theme.
Lecture Notes Outline
The story elements that offer clues to the theme of a literary work include characters, plot, point of view, setting, and symbolism. The following slides explore how these elements help to express a story’s theme.

16. Determining Theme from Characters
Analyzing the characters’ personal traits, actions, dialogue, and motivations may offer insight into a story’s theme.
We have quarrelled like devils all our lives over this stupid strip of forest…. Lying here tonight, thinking, I’ve come to think we’ve been rather fools; there are better things in life than getting the better of a boundary dispute. Neighbor, if you will help me to bury the old quarrel I-I will ask you to be my friend.
—from “The Interlopers,”
by Saki
Lecture Notes Outline
Analyzing the characters’ personal traits, actions, dialogue, and motivations may offer insight into a story’s theme.
We have quarrelled like devils all our lives over this stupid strip of forest…. Lying here tonight, thinking, I’ve come to think we’ve been rather fools; there are better things in life than getting the better of a boundary dispute. Neighbor, if you will help me to bury the old quarrel I–I will ask you to be my friend. —from “The Interlopers,” by Saki
In “The Interlopers,” von Gradwitz and Znaeym recognize too late that they share more than just their predicament. They share the same personal traits of anger, stubbornness, and vindictiveness—a deadly combination that seals their fate.

17. Determining Theme from Plot
Theme often serves as the connecting thread that holds the plot together.
As the plot progresses, a pattern of events emerges that suggests a significant theme.
Theme can be determined from plot in “The Most Dangerous Game.”
In this story, Rainsford, a big-game hunter, is forced to discover what it feels like to be hunted.
This turn of events reveals the story’s theme: the ethical dilemma of the hunt.
Lecture Notes Outline
Theme often serves as the connecting thread that holds the plot together. As the plot progresses, a pattern of events emerges that suggests a significant theme. Theme can be determined from plot in “The Most Dangerous Game.” In this story, Rainsford, a big-game hunter, is forced to discover what it feels like to be hunted. This turn of events reveals the story’s theme: the ethical dilemma of the hunt.

18. True or False?
A story’s theme can be affected by the point of view from which the story is told.
True
False
Lecture Notes Outline
True or False? A story’s theme can depend on the point of view from which the story is told.
Navigation Note
Have students answer the question, then click the mouse to reveal the correct response (true). This response is explored in more detail on the next slide.

19. Determining Theme from Point of View
True! The point of view from which a story is told can affect the story’s theme.
Readers accompany the narrator on his or her journey through the story.
Along the way, readers observe the changes that the narrator undergoes.
These changes, or revelations, can influence a story’s theme.
Lecture Notes Outline
True! The point of view from which a story is told can affect the story’s theme. Readers accompany the narrator on his or her journey through the story. Along the way, readers observe the changes that the narrator undergoes. These changes, or revelations, can produce a story’s theme.

20. Determining Theme from Setting
A story’s setting may reveal theme as well.
In “The Cask of Amontillado,” there is a stark contrast between two settings:
joyous merrymaking on the streets during Carnival
somber darkness of the catacombs
The theme that emerges from this
contrast is that things are not always
as they seem.
Lecture Notes Outline
A story’s setting may reveal theme as well. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” there is a stark contrast between two settings: the joyous merrymaking on the streets during Carnival and the somber darkness of the catacombs. The theme that emerges from this contrast is that things are not always as they seem.

21. Determining Theme from Symbolism
Finally, theme can be found in symbolism.
There are two types of symbols:
A conventional symbol is an object with which many people have the same associations.
The diamond necklace in “The Necklace” is a conventional symbol that stands for wealth.
A personal or idiosyncratic symbol is one that is specific to a particular character in a story.
The dying ibis in “The Scarlet Ibis” is an idiosyncratic symbol for Doodle’s uniqueness, fragility, and fate.
Lecture Notes Outline
Finally, theme can be found in symbolism. There are two types of symbols: A conventional symbol is an object with which many people have the same associations. The diamond necklace in “The Necklace” is a conventional symbol that stands for wealth. A personal or idiosyncratic symbol is one that is specific to a particular character in a story. The dying ibis in “The Scarlet Ibis” is an idiosyncratic symbol for Doodle’s uniqueness, fragility, and fate.
Colors, in particular, are conventional symbols because they are universally associated with certain meanings. For example, in “The Scarlet Ibis,” the color red—associated with passion, blood, and fire—is used symbolically throughout the story to reflect the theme of the narrator’s love/hate relationship with his brother as well as to foreshadow Doodle’s death.
With personal symbols, readers must look for all of the possible associations that could be attached to the symbolic object. For example, the ibis is an ancient symbol of Thoth, the god of knowledge, which underscores a major theme of the story: With Doodle’s death, the narrator now understands the lessons that Doodle has taught him about compassion, love, and pride.

22. Determining Theme from Other Story Elements
Using a story’s elements as clues is one way to determine the theme of a story.
However, readers should also pay close attention to
the title of a story
the names of the characters in a story
the names of places in a story
An author will often use these elements to reveal theme as well.
Lecture Notes Outline
Using a story’s elements as clues is one way to determine the theme of a story. However, readers should also pay close attention to the title of a story, the names of the characters in a story, and the names of places in a story. An author will often use these elements to reveal theme as well.
For example, the title “The Most Dangerous Game” is a clever play on words, underscoring a theme of the hunter versus the hunted. In “The Cask of Amontillado,” the character name “Montresor” means “my treasure” and the character name “Fortunato” means “fortunate one” in Italian. These symbolic names provide clues to the theme that things aren’t always what they appear to be.

23. Determining Theme Beyond the Story
To determine theme, readers must also go beyond the boundaries of a story and discover an underlying perception about life.
Lecture Notes Outline
To determine theme, readers must also go beyond the boundaries of a story and discover an underlying perception about life.

24. Describing Themes
The following terms are commonly used to describe themes:
life
giving
truth
responsibility
war
home
self-awareness
choices
bravery
happiness
dreams
reaching goals
obedience
freedom
equality
friendship
love
survival
family
taking risks
good/evil
honesty
learning
pain
Lecture Notes Outline
The following terms are commonly used to describe themes: family, taking risks, good/evil, honesty, learning, pain, obedience, freedom, equality, friendship, love, survival, self-awareness, choices, bravery, happiness, dreams, reaching goals, life, giving, truth, responsibility, war, and home.

25. SUMMARY: Theme
The theme of a literary work is the central message or perception about life that the story reveals.
A writer expresses the theme by establishing a connection between the story’s elements and the human experience.
If a writer is successful at making this connection, his or her message will resonate with readers long after the story has ended.
Lecture Notes Outline
The theme of literary work is the central message or perception about life that the story reveals. A writer expresses the theme by establishing a connection between the story’s elements and the human experience. If a writer is successful at making this connection, his or her message will resonate with readers long after the story has ended.