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What Is Theme

The document discusses the definition and identification of themes in literature. It defines theme as the moral or lesson of a story, not a summary, and provides some common themes found in literature. It distinguishes theme from the subject, stating that theme makes a revelation about the subject expressed as a sentence. It suggests that writers often express themes through what characters learn. Themes can be identified by looking at any changes in characters and the central conflict in a story, whether it be internal or external conflicts between people, nature, antagonists, society, etc.

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64 views

What Is Theme

The document discusses the definition and identification of themes in literature. It defines theme as the moral or lesson of a story, not a summary, and provides some common themes found in literature. It distinguishes theme from the subject, stating that theme makes a revelation about the subject expressed as a sentence. It suggests that writers often express themes through what characters learn. Themes can be identified by looking at any changes in characters and the central conflict in a story, whether it be internal or external conflicts between people, nature, antagonists, society, etc.

Uploaded by

api-328694348
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is theme?

A Brief overview of
theme...
Theme
Theme is the MORAL or LESSON of the story.

Theme is NOT a summary of the story.


Commom Themes found in Literature
Beauty of simplicity.
Capitalism effect on the individual.
Change of power necessity.
Change versus tradition.
Chaos and order.
Character destruction, building up.
Circle of life.
Coming of age.
The Theme is not the same as the subject
The subject is simply the topic. It can be stated in a
single word, such as loyalty.

The theme makes some revelation about the subject


and should be expressed in a sentence: Loyalty to a
leader is not always noble.
Finding the Theme
Writers often express theme through what their
characters learn.

Does the Character Change throughout the course of the story?

What is the centralized conflict of the story?


Internal Conflict
Conflict on the inside

-struggling with emotions, insecurities, etc.


External Conflict
Conflict on the outside

Conflict with another person, situation, place, rival, animal, weather,


etc.
Common Conflict types
Man vs. Self (Internal)

Man vs. Nature (External)

Protagonist vs. Antagonist (External)

Man vs. Man (External)

Man vs. Society (External)


Read the passage
Because of a feud over a piece of land, Ulrich and Georg are
bitter enemies. One night they encounter each other on the
disputed land. Each thinks of killing the other. Suddenly a huge
tree falls and pins them both under its weight.
At first the men threaten each other. After a while, however,
they notice each others suffering, make a pact of friendship,
and look forward to being rescued and living in peace. Then they
are attacked by wolves.
synopsis of The Interlopers by Saki
Answer the Questions:
What is the conflict?

What is the theme?

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