Objective: Analyze a theme from the novel and use a character’s decision as evidence.

Objective: Analyze a theme from the novel and use a character’s decision as evidence. Today’s schedule: Instruction: Theme and Kohlberg Practice: Identify Theme SSR

What is theme? • Theme is a statement about a topic the book addresses. • For example, a topic in To Kill a Mockingbird is gender roles. • The theme, then, is what the book says about gender roles.

Cinderalla • Identify a topic of the story

Example • Topic: character. • Theme statement: true character will be rewarded.

How does Kohlberg fit? • What decision in the story demonstrates the theme? • The prince’s decision to choose Cinderella and not one of the step-sisters.

Kohlberg and theme continued… • Would changing the prince’s decision affect the theme? • If the prince chooses a step-sister, what would the theme be? • The theme could be “nice guys finish last.” • What is the evidence I could use in my paragraph to prove that a theme in Cinderella is character will be rewarded in the end?

What would the essay test answer look like? A theme in Cinderella is true character will be rewarded in the end. This is seen through the Prince’s decision to marry Cinderella and not the wicked step-sisters: the marriage to the prince is Cinderella’s reward for having true character. By choosing Cinderella, a girl with true character, over the step-sisters who were wicked and cruel, the author is emphasizing that character—not selfishness and unkindness— will be rewarded.

Social Classes Choose a theme topic from the list above and use it to create a theme argument from To Kill a Mockingbird. Use the argument as a topic sentence for a paragraph in which you support the theme using textual details from the book (follow the rule of three – using at least three examples & be sure to explain your examples). • Write a practice answer to this questionin paragraph form, with three details • Email your answers: sniels@district16.org

One saying of the book is that in the south during this time period social class were very divided. Like when scout was asking Aunt Alexandria if Walter Cunningham could come over for dinner, and Aunt Alexandria said no because they were not their type of people. This shows that the social classes were divided, because people of higher social classes did not do things with those of lower social classes. Even though the people might be good in lower classes the higher class still do not try and interact with them. This shows that the book is saying that in the south during this time period social classes were all very divided.

A theme in To Kill a Mockingbird is social class should not determine a person’s worth. Many times in the novel a character from a higher social class is depicted as having less integrity and morals than a member of the lower class. For example, Aunt Alexandria will not allow Scout to spend time with Calpurnia because she fears that Scout will be “poorly influenced” by her. This is hypocritical of Aunt Alexandria because Calpurnia has more character and morals that Aunt Alexandria. This is especially seen when Calpurnia is willing to take the children with her to church, even though she knows it may make some members of the congregation angry with her. Aunt Alexandria, on the other hand, is racist and….

Test Prep • You will need to give three examples to back up your theme statement.

SSR Homework: • 27. 28, 29 Annotated

Objective: Analyze a theme from the novel and use a character’s decision as evidence.