What Is Theme

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Theme Whats the Big Idea?
Feature Menu
What Is Theme? Big Ideas Plot Isnt Theme Where
Does It Say That? Evaluating the Theme Practice
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What Is Theme?
The theme is what the story is really about.
The theme reveals a basic truth about our lives
and human experience.
The writer rarely tells you the theme directly.
Usually, you have to discover the theme yourself.
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What Is Theme?
Suppose you read a story about two friends.
Near the end of the story, one friend betrays the
other.
If the story is well written, we feel that
betrayal.
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What Is Theme?
As we share the characters experiences,
we realize that that the story is about more than
what happens.
The story is really about how betrayal can
destroy the bond between friends. This is the
theme of the story.
End of Section
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Big Ideas
Themes focus on the big topics in everyones
life
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Big Ideas
Works by different writers can have similar
themes about the same big idea.
In The Smallest Dragonboy, Keevan is ridiculed
by other boys because he is smaller. However, he
is the one chosen by the prized bronze dragon
because of his courage and determination.
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Big Ideas
Works by different writers can have similar
themes about the same big idea.
In King Arthur The Sword in the Stone, a young
adopted boy proves himself worthy to be the
rightful king of England. He passes a physical
test that many grown men have attempted but
failed.
What theme could these stories have in common?
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Big Ideas
In these two stories, the biggest and strongest
characters do not win. Size matters less than
courage and strength of character.
Have you read other stories with a similar theme?
How is Rikki-tikki-tavi like Keevan and Arthur?
Rikki is smaller than the cobras but determined
to protect his family.
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Big Ideas
Themes occur over and over again because some
truths about human experience are universal.
All that glitters is not gold.
What goes up, must come down.
Time waits for no man.
Love conquers all.
Are these sayings familiar? They have been used
(and overused) by writers for centuries.
End of Section
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Plot Isnt Theme
Plot is what a story is aboutwhat happens in the
story.
Theme is what a story is really aboutwhat the
story reveals about life.
After you identify key events in a story, ask
yourself some questions

• Is this event important in the story? Why?
• What does this event mean?
• Do the characters understand the meaning of the
  event?

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Plot Isnt Theme
Here is an event from The Smallest Dragonboy in
Collection 2.
Despite injuries to his head and leg, Keevan
drags himself to the dragons Hatching Ground.
1. Is this event important in the story? Why?
2. What does this event mean?
3. Does Keevan understand the meaning of the
event?
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Plot Isnt Theme
Despite injuries to his head and leg, Keevan
drags himself to the dragons Hatching Ground.
1. Is this event important in the story? Why?
Yes. The writer has to get Keevan to the Hatching
Ground.
2. What does this event mean?
Keevan shows the courage and determination needed
to Impress a dragon.
3. Does Keevan understand the meaning of the
event?
No. He just wants to attend the Impression.
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Plot Isnt Theme
Here is another event from The Smallest
Dragonboy.
The little bronze dragon chooses Keevan.
1. Is this event important in the story? Why?
2. What does this event mean?
3. Do the characters understand the meaning of
the event?
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Plot Isnt Theme
The little bronze dragon chooses Keevan.
1. Is this event important in the story? Why?
Yes. This is the climaxthe most exciting partof
the story.
2. What does this event mean?
The dragon knows that Keevan is worthy.
3. Do the characters understand the meaning of
the event?
Keevan does not understand what has happened.
Other charactersLessa and Flardo understand.
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Plot Isnt Theme
. . .and what the events mean.
You know what happened in the story . . .
But what does the story say about life?
EVENTS
MEANING
THEME
Keevan dragged himself to the Impression.
Keevan showed great courage and determination.
A persons character is what mattersnot his or
her size.
The bronze dragon chose Keevan.
The dragon recognized that Keevan was worthy.
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Plot Isnt Theme
A theme can be stated in more than one way.
A persons character is what mattersnot size.
Courage and determination help you reach goals.
Stories can have more than one theme.
A persons character is what mattersnot size.
Failure and frustration can make a person a bully.
You might see all these themes in The Smallest
Dragonboyor an entirely different theme.
End of Section
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Where Does It Say That?
A writer doesnt usually state the theme
directly. You probably wouldnt want to read a
story that begins this way
This is a story that shows character matters
more than size.
Theme is what the writer wants you to discover
for yourself.
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Where Does It Say That?
One way to discover theme is by analyzing the
characters in a story.
How does the main character change during the
story?
What does this change say about life or about
people in general?
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Where Does It Say That?
There are also other ways to discover
themeother questions you can ask.
Which scenes or passages seem to be most
important? What ideas about life do they suggest?
Look at the storys title. What hints does it
give you about the storys meaning?
End of Section
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Evaluating the Theme
Why bother to figure out a storys theme?
Whether you know it or notand whether you like
it or notthe theme will get through.
For example, most sports movies are about
teamwork or end with the impossible goal or
save. Do you agree with what these movies say
about life?
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Evaluating the Theme
Many teen romances follow the same plot two
people who are very different from each other
fall in love.
Is that really true?
These stories also share a similar theme Nothing
can stand in the way of true love.
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Evaluating the Theme
You dont have to like the way a story ends.
Sometimes the hero dies?
Why didnt they get back together?
You dont have to agree with a theme, either.
Putting a theme into words brings it into the
open. You can then look at it closely and decide
if it fits with what you know about life.
End of Section
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Practice
On a beautiful summer afternoon, Grasshopper
lay on his back on a leaf, gazing at clouds and
humming a little grasshopper song. This was
Grasshoppers favorite thing to doall day, every
day. By and by, Grasshoppers good friend
Ant came by, struggling under a heavy load.
Are you crazy? Grasshopper sneered at the ant.
Its way too beautiful outside to work!
You said that yesterday, Grasshopper, Ant
replied. And the day before, and the day before,
and the day before. . . . Thats right,
Ant. Its always too beautiful to work! Thats
what I say!
1. What does each character want?
2. What else does Grasshopper want?
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Practice
On a beautiful summer afternoon, Grasshopper
lay on his back on a leaf, gazing at clouds and
humming a little grasshopper song. This was
Grasshoppers favorite thing to doall day, every
day. By and by, Grasshoppers good friend
Ant came by, struggling under a heavy load.
Are you crazy? Grasshopper sneered at the ant.
Its way too beautiful outside to work!
You said that yesterday, Grasshopper, Ant
replied. And the day before, and the day before,
and the day before. . . . Thats right,
Ant. Its always too beautiful to work! Thats
what I say!
1. What does each character want?
Grasshopper wants to lie around all day. Ant
wants to get some work done.
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Practice
On a beautiful summer afternoon, Grasshopper
lay on his back on a leaf, gazing at clouds and
humming a little grasshopper song. This was
Grasshoppers favorite thing to doall day, every
day. By and by, Grasshoppers good friend
Ant came by, struggling under a heavy load.
Are you crazy? Grasshopper sneered at the ant.
Its way too beautiful outside to work!
You said that yesterday, Grasshopper, Ant
replied. And the day before, and the day before,
and the day before. . . . Thats right,
Ant. Its always too beautiful to work! Thats
what I say!
2. What else does Grasshopper want?
Grasshopper wants Ant to stop working.
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Practice
True, but theres a little chill in the
air, Grasshopper. Ive got to get ready for
winter. Time enough for that, Ant. Maybe
tomorrow. Grasshopper leaned back and started
humming again. Ant trudged on. By and by,
the little chill became a freeze. Ant and his
family were cozy and warm in their anthill as the
snow began falling. One night, Ant heard a little
tapping and went to the door. There stood
Grasshopper, shivering and slapping his skinny
legs to keep warm. Let me in, Ant, old buddy.
Its cold out here, and Im so hungry. I
dont know about that, Grasshopper. Youre pretty
big for this house, and you probably eat more
than all of us put together.
3. Why does Ant want to work?
4. What happens when winter comes?
5. Why is Ant hesitant about helping Grass-hopper?
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Practice
True, but theres a little chill in the
air, Grasshopper. Ive got to get ready for
winter. Time enough for that, Ant. Maybe
tomorrow. Grasshopper leaned back and started
humming again. Ant trudged on. By and by,
the little chill became a freeze. Ant and his
family were cozy and warm in their anthill as the
snow began falling. One night, Ant heard a little
tapping and went to the door. There stood
Grasshopper, shivering and slapping his skinny
legs to keep warm. Let me in, Ant, old buddy.
Its cold out here, and Im so hungry. I
dont know about that, Grasshopper. Youre pretty
big for this house, and you probably eat more
than all of us put together.
3. Why does Ant want to work?
Ant agrees its a beautiful day, but he needs to
get ready for winter.
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Practice
True, but theres a little chill in the
air, Grasshopper. Ive got to get ready for
winter. Time enough for that, Ant. Maybe
tomorrow. Grasshopper leaned back and started
humming again. Ant trudged on. By and by,
the little chill became a freeze. Ant and his
family were cozy and warm in their anthill as the
snow began falling. One night, Ant heard a little
tapping and went to the door. There stood
Grasshopper, shivering and slapping his skinny
legs to keep warm. Let me in, Ant, old buddy.
Its cold out here, and Im so hungry. I
dont know about that, Grasshopper. Youre pretty
big for this house, and you probably eat more
than all of us put together.
4. What happens when winter comes?
Grasshopper wants Ant to feed him and give him a
warm place to stay.
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Practice
True, but theres a little chill in the
air, Grasshopper. Ive got to get ready for
winter. Time enough for that, Ant. Maybe
tomorrow. Grasshopper leaned back and started
humming again. Ant trudged on. By and by,
the little chill became a freeze. Ant and his
family were cozy and warm in their anthill as the
snow began falling. One night, Ant heard a little
tapping and went to the door. There stood
Grasshopper, shivering and slapping his skinny
legs to keep warm. Let me in, Ant, old buddy.
Its cold out here, and Im so hungry. I
dont know about that, Grasshopper. Youre pretty
big for this house, and you probably eat more
than all of us put together.
5. Why is Ant hesitant about helping Grass-hopper?
Ant is afraid there wont be enough for
Grasshopper and Ants family.
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Practice
True, but theres a little chill in the
air, Grasshopper. Ive got to get ready for
winter. Time enough for that, Ant. Maybe
tomorrow. Grasshopper leaned back and started
humming again. Ant trudged on. By and by,
the little chill became a freeze. Ant and his
family were cozy and warm in their anthill as the
snow began falling. One night, Ant heard a little
tapping and went to the door. There stood
Grasshopper, shivering and slapping his skinny
legs to keep warm. Let me in, Ant, old buddy.
Its cold out here, and Im so hungry. I
dont know about that, Grasshopper. Youre pretty
big for this house, and you probably eat more
than all of us put together.
6. Without knowing the end of the story, what do
you think is a possible theme for the story?
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Practice
True, but theres a little chill in the
air, Grasshopper. Ive got to get ready for
winter. Time enough for that, Ant. Maybe
tomorrow. Grasshopper leaned back and started
humming again. Ant trudged on. By and by,
the little chill became a freeze. Ant and his
family were cozy and warm in their anthill as the
snow began falling. One night, Ant heard a little
tapping and went to the door. There stood
Grasshopper, shivering and slapping his skinny
legs to keep warm. Let me in, Ant, old buddy.
Its cold out here, and Im so hungry. I
dont know about that, Grasshopper. Youre pretty
big for this house, and you probably eat more
than all of us put together.
6. Without knowing the end of the story, what do
you think is a possible theme for the story?
Plan for the future. You get back what you put
in.
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Practice
Heres one resolution for the story.
Ant shut the door in Grasshoppers face. Hed
worked hard all summer while that lazy
Grasshopper sat around humming. Too bad for him,
Ant thought, and went back to warm his hands at
the fireplace.
7. Does this ending change the theme?
8. Does this ending introduce another theme?
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Practice
7. Does this ending change the theme?
Ant shut the door in Grasshoppers face. Hed
worked hard all summer while that lazy
Grasshopper sat around humming. Too bad for him,
Ant thought, and went back to warm his hands at
the fireplace.
No. There is still a theme about the consequences
of playing all the time and not planning for the
future.
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Practice
8. Does this ending introduce another theme?
Ant shut the door in Grasshoppers face. Hed
worked hard all summer while that lazy
Grasshopper sat around humming. Too bad for him,
Ant thought, and went back to warm his hands at
the fireplace.
Yes. You cant always count on friends to rescue
you from your mistakes.
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Practice
Heres another, different ending. 9. Does this
ending change the theme?
Please, please, Ant! Just until the snow stops
falling. Ill do anythingand Ill never be lazy
again! Oh, all right, said the kindhearted
Ant. I could use your help in the spring anyway.
10. Does this ending introduce another theme?
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Practice
9. Does this ending change the theme?
Please, please, Ant! Just until the snow stops
falling. Ill do anythingand Ill never be lazy
again! Oh, all right, said the kindhearted
Ant. I could use your help in the spring anyway.
Maybe, maybe not. The work theme doesnt seem
quite as strong because Grasshopper doesnt
suffer consequences.
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Practice
Please, please, Ant! Just until the snow stops
falling. Ill do anythingand Ill never be lazy
again! Oh, all right, said the kindhearted
Ant. I could use your help in the spring anyway.
10. Does this ending introduce another theme?
Yes. Friendship is more important than being
right.
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Practice
On Your Own
Choose two novels youve read recently that have
similar topicscourage, loyalty, or friendship.
Draw a chart like this one. Write the title and
topic of each novel. Then, write what each novel
reveals to you about that topic.
Novel 1
Novel 2
Topic
Topic
Theme
Theme
End of Section
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Theme Whats the Big Idea?
The End