1. How to Find the Theme
An Idea About Life…

2. 1. The Theme is not the subject
The subject is just the topic (which can be stated in a single word, such as love).
The theme is the lesson about the subject. A theme should be expressed in a statement.

3. 2. Think about how the Protagonist changes
Does the main character change?
Does the main character realize something that he did not know before?
Example
How does Ebenezer Scrooge change in A Christmas Carol?

4. 3. How is the conflict resolved?
The way a conflict is resolved often gives hints or clues about the theme.
Example
How is the conflict resolved in The Tortoise and the Hare?

5. 4.Think about the Title Is there a clue in the title of the story?
Example:
What is a possible theme in The Boy Who Cried Wolf?

6. 5. Test your statement of the theme
Does your statement of the theme apply to the whole work and not just one part of it?

7. 6. Remember that there are different ways to state a theme.
Different people often express the same theme in different words.
People might have different opinions about the main theme.
The best literary works often have more than one theme.