What is the difference between ‘theme’ and ‘moral’? Do Now: On handout What is the difference between ‘theme’ and ‘moral’? Theme: is the central idea of a text that is hinted at by the author several times in a book or a story Moral: is the message or the lesson that the author wants readers to get from the story.

There can be several themes in a story/novel, but usually only one moral. Morals tell you how to behave or what behaviors are good. -- Honesty is the best policy --Love thy neighbor --Don’t procrastinate Themes are mostly universal values (or the lack thereof): ex: honesty, love, hope, selfishness, courage, happiness, freedom, prejudice, determination

Try to sum up the story in one or two words. For example, if I watched Shrek I would say ‘friendship’ or ‘true love’. So the theme of Shrek would be ‘friendship’. The moral might be “It is best to lean on friends during difficult times.” So the theme of Shrek would be ‘true love’. The moral might be “Love is blind.”