Theme

=__Theme__= An idea or message from a work of literature or the lesson from a story. It is NOT the subject. So... what exactly is this elusive thing called theme? The theme is the message that the author is trying to convey.The theme of a fable is its moral. The theme of a parable is its teaching. The theme of a piece of fiction is its view about life and how people behave.

In fiction, the theme is not intended to teach or preach. In fact, it is not presented directly at all. You extract it from the characters, action, and setting that make up the story. In other words, you must figure out the theme yourself.

The writer's task is to communicate on a common ground with the reader. Although the particulars of your experience may be different from the details of the story, the general underlying truths behind the story may be just the connection that both you and the writer are seeking. Source: http://learner3.learner.org/interactives/literature/read/theme1.html

The theme of a piece of literature is the main point the author is trying to get across, and there are usually multiple themes.

The theme can be either directly or indirectly stated

Theme is the moral, message, or lesson of the story.

Theme is the underlying message of the piece of literature.

Moral or message throughout the story that is emphasized. =The theme in writing is the main subject or point the author is trying to portray.= __** Finding the Theme **__ Here are some ways to uncover the theme in a story: Check out the title. Sometimes it tells you a lot about the theme. Notice repeating patterns and symbols. Sometimes these lead you to the theme. What allusions are made throughout the story? What are the details and particulars in the story? What greater meaning may they have? Remember that theme, plot, and structure are inseparable, all helping to inform and reflect back on each other. Also, be aware that a theme we determine from a story never completely explains the story. It is simply one of the elements that make up the whole. The play version of Susan Glaspell's "A Jury of Her Peers" is called //Trifles//. What do both titles suggest about the theme? Source: http://learner3.learner.org/interactives/literature/read/theme2.html ==

__** Practice **__ Identify the theme in these short works: http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/reading-worksheets/theme-worksheet.htm