Lesson 28 — Activity 3: Point of View and Theme
Completion requirements
Lesson 28 — Activity 3:
Point of View
and
Theme of the Story
Point of View:
You know that the point of view is the perspective from which the story is told. It is important that an author choose a point of view that will work best for a particular story.Have you ever watched a horror movie? If you have, you know that a large part of the suspense comes from not knowing what is going to happen next. If you were reading a story and you knew what the killer was planning, then the story would lose its suspense.
Courtesy of Pixabay
Courtesy of Pixabay
If you were reading a story about a boy who sees a young child fall into a lake while feeding ducks, you might think the boy was a coward if he did not dive in and rescue the child. Your perception might change if the author lets you see into his thoughts.
You might then learn that he was terrified of water because of a similar experience as a young child. If the boy wasn’t able to dive in, you would understand. If he did dive in, despite the previous experience, you would have even greater respect for him.
You might then learn that he was terrified of water because of a similar experience as a young child. If the boy wasn’t able to dive in, you would understand. If he did dive in, despite the previous experience, you would have even greater respect for him.
Each point of view gives the author power, yet also limits that power. For example, by telling the story as an outsider, an author can go to any place at any time. If the person telling the story is in the story, then the story is restricted to the time
and place of that character. Not one method is generally better than the other, but an author decides which one will best suit a particular story.
Click here to see more information on point of view.
Theme of the Story:
Some of the best literature that has been written is considered to be timeless. What does this mean and what makes a piece of literature timeless?
Timelessness:
- refers to the idea that a story is appealing to readers (or viewers) for years, maybe even generations, into the future.
There is something about the story that has people seeking to read it. It may be that the story is just really appealing. Perhaps a character is so memorable that people continue to enjoy “meeting” this character. One common element that great literature has that makes it timeless is theme.
Courtesy of Public Domain
Theme is:
- rarely stated directly
- the central idea or message that the author wants to reveal through the piece of literature
- a perception about people and/or humanity that is often meant to challenge the reader's own attitudes and beliefs
The author:
- wants the readers to learn about themselves or some aspect of humanity
Theme must always be stated in a complete sentence. It answers the question, “What is the story telling me about life or how people interact?”
The author’s message relates to the story but 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.
The author’s message relates to the story but 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.
Listed below are words around which a theme is often developed:
|
ambition
beauty betrayal courage |
duty
fear freedom happiness |
jealousy
loneliness love loyalty |
perseverance
prejudice suffering |
Reading Journal
Journal Entry #9
What is your favourite type of theme when you read a book or watch a movie (e.g., love, fear, betrayal)? Write about why this is your favourite type of theme.
What is your favourite type of theme when you read a book or watch a movie (e.g., love, fear, betrayal)? Write about why this is your favourite type of theme.