1. THEMES
Life Lessons

2. Topic Theme ≠ Theme is NOT….
Often confused for each other because they are related.

3. Topic vs. Theme Topic Theme
The subject that a story is about
Can be summed up in 1 or 2 words
Examples:
Love, Death, etc.,
The Message or Life Lessons the author wants the reader to learn
Takes a complete sentence to state
Examples:
Love can overcome any obstacle
Death is not always scary

4. What is a theme?

5. Revenge Friendship Love Forgiveness Betrayal Topic or Theme?
We all have our own strengths
Love
Friendship
Preparation is better than luck
Forgiveness
Actions are greater than words
We need to take care of the world
Cheaters never prosper
Revenge
Betrayal

6. Revenge Friendship Betrayal Love Forgiveness
Topic Theme
We all have our own strengths
Friendship
We need to take care of the world
Betrayal
Actions are greater than words
Revenge
Cheaters never prosper
Love
Preparation is better than luck
Forgiveness

7. Finding the Theme Does the author directly state the theme?
What do the characters say?
Do the characters learn anything?
Are there any recurring symbols or patterns of events?
Questions to ask
Sometimes, the theme is DIRECTLY STATED by the author in the text.
Otherwise you must INFER the theme using clues you find in the text.

8. Example: The Swallow & the Crow
The Swallow and the Crow had an argument one day about their plumage. Said the Swallow: "Just look at my bright and downy feathers. Your black stiff quills are not worth having. Why don't you dress better? Show a little pride!" "Your feathers may do very well in spring," replied the Crow, "but—I don't remember ever having seen you around in winter, and that's when I enjoy myself most." Friends in fine weather only, are not worth much. - From Aesop’s Fables

9. The Swallow & the Crow… (continued)
What is this story’s topic?
Friendship
What is this story’s theme?
Friends in fine weather only, are not worth much.
How did you identify the theme?
The author directly states it in the text.
Interpret this lesson in your own words.

10. The Road Less Traveled Written and Read by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
What is the theme?

11. The Road Not Taken... Possible themes:
Some decisions are impossible to make
One decision can change your life
It is impossible to know what the future will bring.