5.5 Lesson Theme
Completion requirements
5.5 Lesson: Theme
As you learned in the short story unit, the theme of a work is the main idea or message of the story.
It answers the question, "What is the story telling me about life or how people interact?"
Details in the story suggest the author's message, which also has meaning for you. You should be able to make connections between the characters and events in the story and people and events in your life.
When thinking about the theme in your chosen novel, answer these questions:
- What is the "big idea" in the story?
- How does the title of the novel relate to that topic?
- What do characters do or say that relates to that topic?
- What important lessons about life do readers learn?
To identify theme, remember to consider the following:
- Setting: the time and place of the action; setting often creates mood or atmosphere in the story
- Symbol: what objects are repeated in the story? What meaning might they represent to characters?
- Character: Does the protagonist make a decision that changes him or her forever? How the character responds to problems can emphasize a theme.
Remembering Place
Setting often helps preserve memory.
An important part of a life journey is to remember what was important to you, why it was important, and to pass the memory on to others. Your assignment asks you to consider setting. Consider how people have preserved memories in the following projects:
Mozart garden with musical symbol
You could create a memorial garden or museum.
Trace the bee from the Barberini family crest on buildings in Rome.
You could create a symbol or statue to tell your story
Piri Reis World Map
You could create a map outlining significant places.
|
Show What You Know
In your downloaded assignment file for Lesson 5, complete Sections 1, 2, and 3. Be sure to save your work. |
When you have completed all parts of Assignment 5,
|
|
| Check your Submission box in two to three days for your marked assignment with feedback from your teacher. | |