1. Mythology, Themes and Short Stories
Literature Notes Section 1

2. What is a myth? Myths are ancient stories passed down through time.
Even though Greek and Roman myths are some of the most famous, every culture has their own set of myths.

3. What Makes a Myth a Myth?
At the most basic level, we can think of a myth as a story that explains how the world came to be the way it is.

4. Why are myths important?
Readers often encounter universal themes that have their roots in mythology.
Myths teach lessons about human nature that are important, not only to ancient people, but also to people of today.

5. What is theme?
The main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work that may be stated directly or indirectly.
It is usually a message about human nature
In myths, themes usually reveal what is important to a culture.
Themes can be present in lots of literary works; short stories, novels, tall tales, legends, etc.

6. Themes A theme is not a word, it is a sentence.
You don’t have to agree with the theme to identify it.
Examples
Money can’t buy happiness.
Don’t judge people based on their surface.
It is better to die free than live under tyranny.

7. What is the theme? READ DON’T WRITE!
Darla Puchovier was so excited. She had a pack of Starburst in her lunch and she had been looking forward to eating them all morning. Lunch finally came and Darla sat down to eat her Starbursts when her friend Judy sat next to her.
“Let me get the pink ones,” asked Judy.
Darla liked the pink ones best, but she thought Judy was funny and Darla wanted Judy to like her, so she gave Judy all of her pink Starbursts.
Before Darla was done giving Judy the pink ones, Carrie sat on the other side of Darla.
“Let me get the red and the orange ones, Darla. Remember when I gave you that Snickers?”
Darla didn’t remember that, though she did remember when Carrie ate a whole Snickers in front of her, but Darla thought Carrie was cool, so she gave her the red and the orange Starbursts. Now that she only had the yellow ones, Darla wasn’t so excited about eating starbursts anymore.

8. Themes are about the big picture.
Not “Yellow Starbursts taste bad”
Not “Judy and Carrie are bad friends.”
Think BIGGER.
Find “Real” World advice.

9. Identifying Themes -Themes are not explicit (clearly stated).
-Themes are implied (suggested but not clearly stated).
-Themes are bigger than the story.