Theme in LiteratureTheme in Literature

Introduction to ShakespeareIntroduction to Shakespeare

Mr. DixonMr. Dixon

DefinitionDefinition

Theme:Theme:

The The main ideamain idea or or underlying meaningunderlying meaning of a of a literary work literary work

Basic CharacteristicsBasic Characteristics

A theme may be A theme may be statedstated or or impliedimplied Theme differs from the subject or topic of a Theme differs from the subject or topic of a

literary work in that it involves a literary work in that it involves a statementstatement or or opinionopinion about the topic about the topic

Not every literary work has a theme Not every literary work has a theme Themes may be Themes may be majormajor or or minorminor

Major vs. MinorMajor vs. Minor

A major theme is A major theme is an idea the author returns toan idea the author returns to time and again; it becomes one of the time and again; it becomes one of the most most importantimportant ideas in the story ideas in the story

A minor theme is an idea that may appear A minor theme is an idea that may appear only only periodicallyperiodically

Theme and SubjectTheme and Subject

It is important to recognize the difference It is important to recognize the difference between the between the themetheme of a literary work and the of a literary work and the subjectsubject of a literary work. of a literary work.

The The subjectsubject is the is the topictopic on which an author has on which an author has chosen to write chosen to write

The The themetheme, however, , however, makes some statementmakes some statement about or about or expresses some opinionexpresses some opinion on that topic on that topic

ExampleExample

The The subjectsubject of a of a story might be story might be warwar while the while the themetheme of that of that same story same story might be the might be the idea that idea that war is war is uselessuseless..

How Do Authors Express Themes?How Do Authors Express Themes?

In 4 primary ways:In 4 primary ways:

1)1) Themes are expressed Themes are expressed and emphasized by the and emphasized by the way the author makes way the author makes us feel. By sharing us feel. By sharing feelings of the main feelings of the main character,character, we also we also share the ideas that go share the ideas that go through his mind through his mind

How Do Authors Express Themes? How Do Authors Express Themes? (continued)(continued)

2) 2) Themes are presented in Themes are presented in thoughts and thoughts and conversationsconversations. Authors put . Authors put words in their character’s words in their character’s mouths only for good mouths only for good reasons. One of these is to reasons. One of these is to develop a story’s themes. develop a story’s themes. The things a person says are The things a person says are frequently on their mind. frequently on their mind. Look for Look for thoughts that are thoughts that are repeatedrepeated throughout the throughout the story. story.

How Do Authors Express Themes? How Do Authors Express Themes? (continued)(continued)

3) 3) Themes are suggested Themes are suggested through the through the characterscharacters. The . The main character usually main character usually illustrates the most illustrates the most important theme of the important theme of the story. A good way to get at story. A good way to get at this theme is to ask yourself this theme is to ask yourself the question, the question, what does the what does the main character learnmain character learn in the in the course of the story? course of the story?

How Do Authors Express Themes? How Do Authors Express Themes? (continued)(continued)

4) 4) The The actions or eventsactions or events in in the story are used to suggest the story are used to suggest theme. People naturally theme. People naturally express ideas and feelings express ideas and feelings through their actions. One through their actions. One thing authors think about is thing authors think about is what an action will "say".what an action will "say". In In other words, how will the other words, how will the action express an idea or action express an idea or theme? theme?

How Do Authors Express Themes?How Do Authors Express Themes?(Review)(Review)

1)1) Through the Through the feelingsfeelings of the main character of the main character

2)2) Through Through thoughtsthoughts and and conversationsconversations

3)3) Through Through what the main character learnswhat the main character learns

4)4) Through specific Through specific actionsactions or or eventsevents