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Theme and Symbol

Theme and Symbol. Identifying what's really important in a text. What is a Theme ?. the key idea at the heart of a story a message about life or human nature that a writer wants you to understand. Theme in Literature .

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Theme and Symbol

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  1. Theme and Symbol • Identifying what's really important in a text

  2. What is a Theme? • the key idea at the heart of a story • a message about life or human nature that a writer wants you to understand

  3. Theme in Literature • Themes in literature are often big ideas that people of all ages in all parts of the world think about. They can be unique themes specific to a particular time or place, or they can be universal themes that show up again and again in texts from all time periods and cultures. • Theme is often communicated through the different elements of a story - the setting, the characters, the conflict, and the symbols of a story all help us to identify theme.

  4. Identifying Theme - The Fox and the Grapes One hot summer’s day a Fox was strolling through an orchard till he came to a bunch of Grapes just ripening on a vine which had been trained over a lofty branch. “Just the thing to quench my thirst,” quoth he. Drawing back a few paces, he took a run and a jump, and just missed the bunch. Turning round again with a One, Two, Three, he jumped up, but with no greater success. Again and again he tried after the tempting morsel, but at last had to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air, saying: “I am sure they are sour.” It is easy to despise what you cannot get.

  5. Identifying Theme - The Fox and the Grapes THEME: It is easy to belittle (despise) what you cannot get Conflict The fox tries jumping and reaching for the grapes; but he cannot get them, and so he remains thirsty and hungry. In addition, he has now become angry. Character The Main Character is the Fox, who is hungry and thirsty, and wants something to eat/drink. Setting The Fox is in a vineyard (a place where grapes grow), where he sees an opportunity to get something to eat Symbol The grapes are hanging just out of the fox's reach - they represent something he desires but cannot obtain

  6. Identifying Theme:Together • The Lion and the Mouse • Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Pardon, O King," cried the little Mouse: "forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn some of these days?" The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let him go. Some time after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. "Was I not right?" said the little Mouse. • A friend in need is a friend indeed.

  7. Identifying Theme:Together Using a chart like the one for "The Fox and the Grapes," determine the theme for "The Lion and The Mouse." How do the characters, setting, symbols and conflict show the theme?

  8. Identifying Theme: Your Turn • In groups, read the fable on your desk. Identify the theme, and work backward to show how character, setting, symbol, and conflict help determine the theme. Pick someone to share with the class. You will have 8 minutes.

  9. Identifying Theme:On Your Own • Read "The Contender" by Robert Lipsyte on page 443. Then, in your journal, answer the following questions in complete sentences. Do not write the question. You have 10 minutes. • What is the conflict? • What is Alfred's goal? What does Mr. Donatelli think about that goal? • Given what Mr. Donatelli says in lines 14-20, what do you think boxing might symbolize to him? • Reread lines 29-31. What lesson might Alfred learn from training as a boxer? State this lesson as a THEME.

  10. Topic vs Theme Topic Theme Generally takes one or two sentences to describe ex: First impressions aren't always right. Can be described in one or two words ex: First Impressions • Theme and topic of a story sound and look very similar, but they are not the same. While both the topic and the theme are what the story is about, the topic is just the general idea of what the story is about, and the theme is the writer's message about the topic. If we think about our own writing, the Topic would be what we are writing about, and the Theme is what we are trying to tell our audience about the theme.

  11. Here's a more familiar way of looking at topic v. theme. Topic: First Impressions Theme: First Impressions aren't always right Focus Map Theme is the more specific message that the author is trying to communicate about the topic.

  12. Clues to find Theme • Authors don't always directly state their themes, but the theme is always present. To find an implied theme, it is a good idea to look closely at the following things: • Title: The title of a story can suggest an important idea or symbol. What in the story does the title refer to? What idea or symbol does the title highlight? Could the title have more than one meaning? • Characters: Characters can reflect the theme by how they act or what they learn. What do the main character's actions and thoughts tell you about him or her? How does the character change? What lessons does the character learn? • Plot and Conflict: A story revolves around conflicts that are central to the theme. What conflicts do the characters face? How are the conflicts resolved? • Setting: Setting can connect to a theme because of what it means to the characters or readers. How does the setting affect the characters or influence their actions? What might the setting represent to readers? • Important Statements: The narrator or a character may make statements that hint at the theme. What key statements are made in the story? Could any statement be reworded as an overall theme? • Symbols: A symbol can convey a theme because of what it means to the main character. Does anything seem to stand for something beyond itself? What might the symbol mean to the main character? What might it represent to the readers?

  13. Analyzing Literature Together:"Abuela Invents the Zero" • Together, we will read "Abuela Invents the Zero" by Judith Ortiz Cofer on page 445. Try to answer the questions on your own as you are given time. 30 minutes. • Examine the title of the story and reread the first paragraph. What symbol do you predict will be central to the theme? • Reread the boxed details. These are Connie's thoughts about her grandmother. Based on these details, how would you describe Connie? • What conflicts might arise for Connie during her grandmother's visit? • How would you describe Connie's attitude and treatment of her grandmother? Support your answer. • Why do you think the author chose a church as the setting for this scene? How might she want you to react to Connie's behavior there? • What lesson has Connie learned from the conflict with her grandmother? Where on page 447 do you see this lesson directly stated as a theme? • What new understanding of the word zero does Connie now have? What understanding do you have of the story's title?

  14. Analyzing Literature and Finding Theme: Pandora's Box • We will read "Pandora's Box" Together, analyzing the topic and theme as we read. Turn to Page 456 in your text book.

  15. Analyzing Literature: Pandora's Box Clue #1 • Title: • What does the title refer to? • What does this title highlight? What is important?

  16. Analyzing Literature:Pandora's Box Clue #2 • Fill out the chart to determine the main characters, what their actions were, what happened as a result of their actions, and what lesson was learned:

  17. Analyzing Literature:Pandora's Box Clue #3 • Fill in the plot diagram to see what conflict the story revolves around. How does that help us find the theme?

  18. Analyzing Setting:Pandora's Box Clue #4 • Where is the story set? • How does the setting influence the characters? • What might the setting mean to the reader?

  19. Analyzing Setting:Pandora's Box Clue #5 • Are there any important statements made by any of the characters or the narrator? • Do any of the statements address the topic? • Can any of the statements be re-worded into a central theme or message?

  20. Analyzing Literature:Pandora's Box Clue #6 • Why does Zeus give Pandora to Epimethus? • What does Pandora represent to Epimethus? • What does Pandora represent to the reader? • Why does Zeus give the box to Pandora? • What does the box represent for Pandora? • What does the box represent for the reader? • What do the things inside the box mean?

  21. Analyzing Literature:Pandora's Box - Theme • Look at all the theme clues you found for Pandora's Box. What is the topic of Pandora's Box? What is the theme of Pandora's Box?

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