theme
- Theme is the central idea or message in a literary work.
- It is not the subject of the work (students often get the two definitions of theme confused). It is a perception or lesson learned about human life.
- Themes are rarely stated directly. They usually must be inferred.
- The theme is revealed by the way characters change in a story, conflicts in the story, and statements made by the narrator or characters.
- Understanding theme involves understanding plot, characters, and setting.
A theme consists of:
TOPIC + OPINION + REASONS (sometimes) Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. |
Examples:
All is fair in love and war. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Respect is earned. Difference can be an asset. Never judge a book by its cover |
ACT 2 Scene 6 (pg. 44)
FRIAR LAWRENCE: These sudden joys have sudden endings. They burn up in victory like fire and gunpowder. When they meet, as in a kiss, they explode. Too much honey is delicious, but it makes you sick to your stomach. Therefore, love each other in moderation. That is the key to long-lasting love. Too fast is as bad as too slow.
FRIAR LAWRENCE: These sudden joys have sudden endings. They burn up in victory like fire and gunpowder. When they meet, as in a kiss, they explode. Too much honey is delicious, but it makes you sick to your stomach. Therefore, love each other in moderation. That is the key to long-lasting love. Too fast is as bad as too slow.
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IN-CLASS PRACTICE:
When analyzing themes, ask yourself these four questions:
TOPIC + OPINION _________ + __________________________. |
Characterization
A good narrative characterizes the characters in the text. See this PPT from class.
DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION: Characteristics or personality traits told by the author.
EX: Batman’s evil nemesis, the Joker…
INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION: Characteristics or personality traits told through the story. You must infer these.
EX: Batman’s nemesis, the Joker, often plots evil schemes to torture his victims. He often creates scenarios that make the good guy choose between two bad outcomes: sacrifice the city or lose the love of his life.
Analyze using STEAL:
DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION: Characteristics or personality traits told by the author.
EX: Batman’s evil nemesis, the Joker…
- The Joker is evil, according to the author.
INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION: Characteristics or personality traits told through the story. You must infer these.
EX: Batman’s nemesis, the Joker, often plots evil schemes to torture his victims. He often creates scenarios that make the good guy choose between two bad outcomes: sacrifice the city or lose the love of his life.
- The Joker is sneaky, according to the inference we make from the story.
Analyze using STEAL:
FEATURES OF PLAYWRIting
PLOT
SOLILOQUY
A soliloquy is a long speech given by a character that is alone on stage or unheard by the other characters in order to reveal his or her thoughts. Soliloquies contain some of Shakespeare's most famous lines and are excellent candidates for analysis. The "Balcony Scene" soliloquy is a famous example.
A soliloquy is a long speech given by a character that is alone on stage or unheard by the other characters in order to reveal his or her thoughts. Soliloquies contain some of Shakespeare's most famous lines and are excellent candidates for analysis. The "Balcony Scene" soliloquy is a famous example.
- Why does Shakespeare use soliloquies to reveal characters' thoughts?
- Why is it important that the character is alone or unheard on stage during the soliloquy?
MONOLOGUE
A monologue is a long speech given by a character to another character. It is similar to a soliloquy, insomuch that it reveals a character's thoughts.
A monologue is a long speech given by a character to another character. It is similar to a soliloquy, insomuch that it reveals a character's thoughts.
- How would this monologue be different if it were a soliloquy?
- What effect does this monologue have on the other character?
ASIDE
An aside is a short comment made by a character revealing his thoughts or feelings to the audience, unheard by the other characters.
An aside is a short comment made by a character revealing his thoughts or feelings to the audience, unheard by the other characters.
- What character traits are revealed through the aside that the audience wouldn’t get to see otherwise?