Theme and Universal Theme

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Theme and Universal Theme

• Chapter 4

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Theme

• The theme of a literary work is the central idea
  about life that it reveals.
• A theme is a message that the writer wants you to
  get, but you usually have to look for it.
• The writers theme is usually not stated
  directly..

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Theme

• Because theme is not usually stated directly, try
  to identify the significant elements in each
  selection and how they affect the main character
  or narrator.

Theme
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Theme

• Finding a theme helps you understand
• stories or poems about the human experience
• changes a character goes through
• the writers views on life

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Theme

• The author often reveals the theme through the
  actions and realizations of the characters.

• Is this really how people are?
• Do I agree with this view of life?

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Universal Theme

• The themes writers express are often
  universalthat is, they apply to people from all
  over the world.

A teacher can make a difference in a childs life.
A loving grandparent can be a source of wisdom.
Awareness of death can make life richer.
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Universal Theme

• Universal themes represent the idea that no
  matter who we are, we all experience common joys,
  sorrows, and concerns that bind us together.

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Practice

• Read the following. What clues can you find that
  suggest a theme about life renewing itself?

Mr. Day held his tiny new grandson in his
wrinkled hands. Outside the window of his
hospital room, the gray of winter was broken by
the first flowers of spring peeking up from the
ground. Mr. Day stroked the babys blanket, the
same one in which hed wrapped his own son thirty
years ago.