1. Kellie Duquette Period A
Theme
Kellie Duquette
Period A

2. What is Theme? Controlling idea or central insight
Stated or implied generalization about life

3. Is theme always apparent?
Author seriously attempts to record life or reveal truth
Author deliberately unifies elements of the story

4. Hidden Themes… Mostly, themes are not expressly stated
Authors want them to be found and pondered, not just understood
Themes arise naturally

5. Finding Theme Brief or essay length explanations
Central insight, explains the greatest of the unifying elements
Seldom expressed in one sentence
Most often theme is implied

6. Themes vs. Morals Common misconception “Theme” is used to emphasize
1.) Story Enjoyment
2.) Prevent Oversimplification
3.) Reiterate Lessons we Already Know

7. Commercial Themes vs. Literary Themes
Life as we’d like it to be (Cheaters never win)
Literary:
Question/challenge these popular beliefs
NO THEME MUST BE ACCEPTED

8. Methods to Find Theme What main character learns and change
Central conflict
Title

9. Expressing Theme Theme must have a subject and a predicate
Stated as life generalization
Avoid “all, every, and always”
Central and unifying
Account for major details
Not contradict any details
Must rely on facts- not suppositions
There is no ONE way of stating theme
Many ways to state and many different themes
Avoid Clichés

10. Quick Review! Theme is the central idea of a story
Often must be sought and not directly stated, but one theme unifies the entire story
Though theme is central to the story, it does not have to be accepted as true by the reader
There is no one way to state theme- nor is a story restricted to just one theme