Theme Analysis:
Think about all of the stories we’ve read for this class so far:
- “Boys and Girls”
- “A&P”
- “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”
- “Sonny’s Blues”
- “I Stand Here Ironing”
- “A Good Man is Hard to Find”
- “A Pair of Tickets”
- “Volar”
- “Cathedral”
- “A Wall of Fire Rising”
For this journal entry, write about two of these stories that either (a) share a theme, which means that both stories essentially make the same point in their own ways or (b) share a topic, but have differing themes, which means they make different points about the same topic. For example, if there are two stories about growing up that seem to make the same point, that would be option (a); if there were two stories that each made a different point about growing up, that would be option (b).
In your journal entry, write about the two stories and their themes. How are they expressed in the story? What other literary elements contribute to the theme (symbol, setting, etc)? What quotes show or emphasize the theme? Is the theme the same as the lesson learned by the main character?
Your journal entry should be about 300 words long, written in an academic style. There’s no formatting requirements for journal entries, but be sure you include the names of the stories and authors. If you use quotes from the stories, be sure to include page numbers. Do not consult or use outside sources for this assignment. This is a journal entry, so no introduction or conclusion is required. Just be sure you follow the assignment, answer the questions, proofread carefully, use complete sentences, and include details to support your points.
See attached note!
Theme in Fiction What is theme?
● Theme is always a complete sentence. ● Theme is an arguable claim made by a story. ● Theme is the point the story is trying to make. ● Theme connects fiction to our lived human experiences. ● Theme is a big idea, a universal statement, an argument or claim about one of life’s big
ideas.
What isn’t theme? ● Theme can never be one word: love, friendship, dogs, or tacos are big ideas, but they’re
not claims. ● Theme can never be summary: what happens in the story reveals the meaning, but the
theme is universal and can be applied to your life and mine. ● Theme is not an easy lesson: “listen to your parents,” or “be nice to people” are good
ideas, but they aren’t complex enough to drive literature.
What are some examples of theme? ● Painful experiences can make a person stronger. ● The past will always impact the present and future. ● Some family bonds are not worth fighting for. ● Love requires sacrifice. ● Adulthood is a rewarding burden. ● Independence requires responsibility. ● Hope is powerful, but also dangerous.
Things to remember when you write about theme: ● Why is more important than what. Identifying a symbol is only important if you also
explain what it means and how it relates to the theme. ● Think about what the story seems to value and promote? What gets rewarded? What is
learned? ● Explain and analyze how a theme is shown, what in the story reveals the theme or
relates to it.
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