Article Analysis: 'What Is A Theme?'

Improved Essays
In the article entitled “What is a Theme?” the writer defines what a theme is, the different kinds of themes, what a theme consists of, and how to find a theme. First, the writer explains that a theme is not a summary of the passage, but it is a general idea of the passage or book one might be reading. The writer also addresses hidden and explicit themes, and explains that a hidden theme might not be directly in the text, and an explicit theme the exact opposite. In addition, the writer discusses one of the components of a theme being the main idea or moral of the passage, which informs the reader of what the main or central idea of the text is, making a theme. Moreover, the writer emphasizes that things to consider when identifying the theme

Related Documents

  • Great Essays

    A literary work, such as a story, on the other hand, nearly always incorporates a theme because it aids the connection of different parts of the story, such as main events or conflicts, into one lesson which the character and the reader learn as a result of the story. Schanzer’s…

    • 1861 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    Nt1310 Unit 1 Essay

    • 1363 Words
    • 6 Pages

    By understanding the main character, their thoughts, feelings and actions, the reader can better grasp the theme of the story. A story's theme is its idea or point. The theme of a fable is its moral and the theme of a short story is its inferred message. The theme can be considered the big idea. It is a belief about life that the author is trying to express to the reader.…

    • 1363 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Every story has a theme. It may not be very prevalent, but it is still there. Themes help characters and the reader learn lessons in clever ways. Most themes can be applied to any time period and to any person. Take the famous story “The Tortoise and the Hare”.…

    • 883 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    As we all know, the theme of a story is the lesson that is being taught throughout the novel. But a theme can also be the subject of a talk, a piece of writing, or a person's thoughts. All stories have a theme, but they may not always be directly stated. This requires readers to dig deep down into the text and analyze the lessons that they have acquired through the book. Between the two excerpts, "Angelas Ashes" and "The Street", there is common theme that perseverance is important when times get tough in life.…

    • 1234 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    For something to be considered a theme, it must be universally understood and timeless. This means that it must be able to apply to any culture, in any time period, and still mean the same thing. Ever since humans existed, children have struggled to accomplish what their parents expect of them.…

    • 388 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    One theme is if you wait long enough, everything could be answered. In the story they asked a question for so long and never gave up. Eventually their question was answered and they didn't give up. Another theme is, patience is the key to understanding. Even though they didn't get an answer they didn't get frustrated or give up.…

    • 753 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Some of you really struggled with the Historical and Cultural Context part of Milestone II. You might want to review some of the Webinars I have posted. Also, here is a good review of Historical and Cultural Context for Humanities from another college I work for: http://valenciacollege.edu/west/arts-and-humanities/writing/historical-cultural.cfm Also, some of you did not really get deep into themes. Here is a resource that gives some examples of themes but also other categories that might be helpful in an analysis paper.…

    • 246 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Decent Essays

    The Prince And The Pauper

    • 353 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The author of “The Prince and the Pauper” develops theme in many ways. The author develops the theme by using plot, characterization, word choice, and point of view. The theme of truth is not always visible to others is shown in by in the inciting incident, the guards would push away the prince because he was wearing rags. Another way the author shows theme is through characterization, by describing the characters similar appearance between the prince and Tom Canty to show why people don't believe that the prince is the prince and Tom is Tom. One reason why the theme is the truth is not always visible to others, is in the text, it says, “Heavens, do you not see it?…

    • 353 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Authors profusely use themes to add dimension, help the reader understand, and direct the reader in following the path of novel’s intention. Providing a novel with the structural value of a theme, the author keeps the reader guided. In a Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving uses themes to combine the complexity of his work. Without the theme of religion/doubt tying in with fate versus free will, the novel would lose substance and value. Faith and religion, without a doubt, is the underlying main source of the novel’s overtone.…

    • 1285 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Good And Evil In Sulla, By Toni Morrison

    • 1156 Words
    • 5 Pages
    • 1 Works Cited

    Throughout the story there are many themes that implore the reader to look more in depth at their meanings and…

    • 1156 Words
    • 5 Pages
    • 1 Works Cited
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Great Gatsby Society and Class F. Scott Fitzgerald presents many themes in his novel, The Great Gatsby. One of the themes is how people behave depending on their social status. Social Class is an important theme in the book. Gatsby throws huge, elaborate parties in hopes Daisy will hear about them and attend one. Gatsby doesn’t know that Daisy would never go to one unless she’s invited, because she sees it as a lower-class type of party.…

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Negative Effects of Technology A theme is defined as the subject of talk. In literary terms, it is the author’s point of view on life. Most themes are agreed with; others receive some criticism.…

    • 1063 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Theme of Contradiction and Loneliness in Ann Beattie’s “Janus” Themes play an important role in enhancing the quality of a narration and they also play a crucial role in increasing the degree of appeal to the readers. In the realm of literature, different stories have been composed based on several different themes and each of those themes represents a single specific facet of the human life. The themes of contradiction and loneliness have been the ones which have been widely and quite often used in the myriad of stories. Contradiction and loneliness are the two primary essences of human life as every individual is, to some extent and in some way, lonely, and every individual possesses an ideology which might contradict her own behavior or…

    • 567 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Monkey's Paw Theme

    • 791 Words
    • 4 Pages

    For example, a character and setting may exist, but without a plot nothing will happen. Overall, the theme in the book about not tampering with fate is highly contributed to through the story's elements. As mentioned previously, the story element of character highly contributes to the theme of the story. The way Mr. White acts at the beginning versus the end of the story really shows how character plays a part in shaping the theme. "…

    • 791 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Theme is a central message or perception about life that is revealed through literary work. The theme in Like the Sun is when telling the truth sometimes has consequences. A quote from the story, “I must must have them tomorrow morning. And remember every paper must be scrutinized.” The quote shows the consequence after telling the truth.…

    • 527 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays