Chapter 4: Theme

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Chapter 4 Theme
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Ways of discovering theme (Par. 13, p. 159)

• Ask in what way the protagonist has changed in
  the course of the story and what, if anything, he
  or she has learned before its end.

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Ways of discovering theme (Par. 13, p. 159)
2. Explore the central conflict and its outcome
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Ways of discovering theme (Par. 13, p. 159)
3. Consider the title of the story as providing
an important clue.
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Chapter 4 Theme
James Joyce
Toni Cade Bambara
1939-1995
1898-1941
Biograhpical Information
Biograhpical Information
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Structure of The Lesson
Paragraph 1 Adult Sylvia looking back
(ironically), establishing a negative picture of
Miss Moore as a manipulative do-gooder
Paragraph 2 Specific story begins Shift from
past to present tense shift in narrators voice
Paragraphs 3 through 51 Reader sees Miss Moore
in a positive light, as wanting to help the
children see a way out from their poorer
condition
Paragraphs 52 through 58 Reader senses
that perhaps Sylvia has absorbed the lesson, but
sees her complacency in a negative light more
clearly sees function of paragraph. 1
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Two Primary Conflicts
Antagonist
Protagonist
Sylvia
Miss Moore
(Immature Self-satisfaction)
(Mature Wisdom)
Sylvia
FAO Schwarz
(Possible Emotional Growth)
(Shocking Exposure to the Values of Other People)
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Theme for The Lesson
One of the lessons to be learned on the road to
maturity is that there are lessons to be learned,
that an open mind and a little humility may show
one the way out from the confines of complacency.
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Eveline Three part structure Part
one Reflection on the relationship of
past, present, and future. Paragraphs 1-17 Part
two Brief section depicting her impulse of
terror, her reaffirmation of choosing escape
with Frank rather than a life that may close
in final craziness. Paragraph 18 Part Three
Her becoming lost in a maze of distress and
unable to carry out her plan to leave with him.
Paragraphs 19-26
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Eveline
The plot presents two perspectives which make it
very difficult to decide between them
Either choice evokes reader pathos.
She collapses into a creature of habit. She is
like a helpless animal (par 26) who cannot
break out of her captivity.
Her excited, frenzied state may be leading her
from an unprincipled seducer, a sailor chap
(par 11) back to safety and respectability.
Conflicts
Eveline vs. Self
Eveline vs. Dublin/society (confinement)
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Theme for Eveline Having to
make a choice between an existence characterized
by tedium, opprobrium, and confinement and one
which offers only an ambiguous promise for an
escape from the formers paralysis, some people
may see the unknown future as a more formididable
obstacle and retreat to a life of commonplace
sacrifices, (par 16) marked by passivity and
dreariness.
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Eudora Welty 1909-2001
Biographical Information
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Theme for A Worn Path On our journey
through life, even though our mental and physical
capabilities begin to fail, we may maintain our
dignity and humanity if we are tenacious in our
overcoming obstacles that keep us from displaying
true love and charity to others.