ENH 110: Theme

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ENH 110 Theme
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Definition
Theme it is the controlling idea or central
insight of a piece of fiction. It is the
unifying generalization about life stated or
implied by the story. It is often synonymous
with a storys purpose. Theme exists only (1)
when an author has seriously attempted to record
life accurately or to reveal some truth about it
or (2) when an author has deliberately introduced
as a unifying element some concept or theory of
life that the story illuminates.
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Daddy, the man next door kisses his wife every
morning before going to work. Why dont you do
that? Are you kidding? I dont even know the
woman. Daughter, your young man stays until
a very late hour. Hasnt your mother said
anything to you about this habit of his? Yes,
father. Mother says men havent changed a bit.
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Ways of discovering theme
1. Explore the central conflict and its outcome
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Ways of discovering theme
2. 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
3. Consider the title of the story as providing
an important clue.
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Ways of discovering theme
4. Consider if there are any significant symbols
which may point to a central truth.
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Theme Statements for Seven Previously Read
Stories
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Possible Theme for Barn Burning based on an
analysis of the primary conflicts protagonist
vs self, protagonist vs kin
For a young, uneducated, dilemma-stricken man who
is trapped in a life governed by an abusive and
intransigent patriarch--one who tyrannically
espouses a view that blood ties (kinship) must
supplant even truth and justice--the path to
maturation and self-actualization may begin with
his freeing himself from the chains of parental
dictates in an effort to cease inimical behavior.
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A Rose for Emily
If the spirit of youthful exuberance is unable to
find release due to the forces of
oppressiveness, its energy may later manifest
itself in a need to be secluded and in a
steadily evolving eccentric pertinacity that at
once may evoke pity and horror--both shrouded by
the mystery inherent in reclusivity.
based on central conflicts protagonist vs
father and self protagonist vs. town, and
change in the protagonist
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Theme for The Chrysanthemums
For some strong, energetic women who want
to break free of traditional barriers, to realize
their spiritual and erotic cravings, to release
their nuturing qualities and feminine talents in
a wider world, the forces of a male dominated
society may too powerfully stunt their capacities
for growth and expression, thus perpetuating the
frustration of their present condition.
based on central conflict, title, symbolism
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Theme for Interpreter of Maladies
Some men that experience midlife
tribulations--whose domestic life is physically
comfortable but spiritually unfulfilling and
lacking in romance--may construct a fantasy life
around another woman to bolster their attachment
to idealistic romance and youthful dreams, not
expecting a sudden truth to shatter their world
and effect the continuation of their melacholy
solitude.
based on central conflict, title, change in
protagonist
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Cathedral
Barriers tend to break down when
people effectively communicate with one another.
Even those not physically blind sometimes need
to be taught to see.
Stereotyping often renders sighted people blind
to the common humanity we all share.
based on central conflict, title, symbolism,
change in protagonist
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The Storm
A woman who is confined to a marriage that
is dispassionate may be sparked to sexual
desire by mysterious forces which help to effect
in her a sense of liberation from repression.
based on central conflict, title,
symbolism
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Possible Theme for Greasy Lake based on an
analysis of the primary conflict narrator vs.
himself
The various experiences young adults have on
their road to maturity may lead them to unleash
violent passions, confront their own mortality,
and recognize the need for an exploration of self
as well as a recognition of human limitations
these lessons, perhaps due to careless
behavior and a distraction of their ideals,
often, if the people are not obdurate, provide
them the strength to move from innocence to
potentiality.
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Chinua Achebe
Born 1930
Biography
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Those who embrace modernity--progressive internati
onal standards, rigid rationality-- to the
exclusion of customs deeply rooted in emotion and
intuition and who do not make an attempt at
tolerance and sensitivity for the latters
beliefs when in confrontation, may effect a
terrible cost upon themselves and others.
Focused on central conflict modernity vs.
traditional African values idealistic obstinacy
vs.deeply rooted local custom rationalism vs.
emotion and intuition
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The Parable of the Podigal Son
Genuine virtue requires the power to forgive.
or True goodness
requires love and compassion, not just outward
virtue.
or There is more joy in finding what was lost
than there would be in merely keeping it.
Focused on central conflicts, protagonist vs.
self, sons vs Father on title, on symbolic value
of characters
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Kurt Vonnegut
1922-2007 Biography
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"... dystopian fiction looks at totalitarian
dictatorship as its prototype, a society that
puts its whole population continuously on trial,
a society that finds its essence in
concentration camps, that is, in
disenfranchising and enslaving entire classes of
its own citizens, a society that, by glorifying
and justifying violence by law, preys upon
itself. ... dystopian society is what we would
today call dysfunctional it reveals the lack of
the very qualities that traditionally justify or
set the reason for existence of a community."
(Erika Gottlieb's Dystopian Fiction East and
West Universe of Terror and Trial)
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Harrison Bergeron
Those societies which are intent on embracing
extreme legal egalitarianism due to a distrust of
intellectuality may perversely condemn and
penalize all individual freedoms, all striving
for excellence, including beauty, physical grace,
and imagination.
Focused on central conflict protagonist vs
society on title on representativeness of
characters
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fin
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Margaret Atwood
Born 1939 Biography
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Metafiction is a type of fiction which
self-consciously addresses the devices of
fiction. It is the term given to fictional
writing which self-consciously and systematically
draws attention to its status as an artifact in
order to pose questions about the relationship
between fiction and reality. It usually involves
irony and is self-reflective. It can be compared
to presentational theatre in a sense
presentational theatre does not let the audience
forget they are viewing a play, and metafiction
does not let the readers forget they are reading
a work of fiction.
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Possible theme for Happy Endings
Spoofing fictional techniques, some authors may
effect significant points that many narrative
endings are unconvincing and inauthentic and
that mortality is the central fact of human
existence, implying that possibilities are more
pleasant than actualities, beginnings are always
more fun. These abstract themes can be made
accesible in a comic fashion. .