Close Reading of Narrative Fiction and Nonfiction: Identifying Theme

A theme is a message/lesson about life that is implied through the details in the text; it is what the text makes us think about the world. It is often a complex, sometimes arguable idea about the world that is hidden between the lines of the text (figuratively, not literally).

We can identify theme in different ways:

1-    What are the main conflicts and how are they resolved?

Example: In Where the Wild Things Are, the conflict is that Max gets in trouble for saying something inappropriate to his mom, and he is sent to his room without his food; this makes him upset. The resolution is: after his adventure, he returns to his room and his mother had sent him his supper. Theme: Children get upset at their parents for scolding them but realize and appreciate their parents love for them.

 

2-  How do the characters change? What lessons do they learn throughout the text? What do they realize in the end?

3. Often characters learn from wise people or mentors? Or sometimes the opposite happens and they learn wiser ways from not-so-wise people. What do the characters learn from others?

4-    Where in the text does the author try to reveal some truths about the world? What are some powerful, important lines and symbols? What images or words recur? What do they mean?

5-    Think about archetypes (a common, universal idea found throughout cultures and times). What are some universal themes that can be understood by people regardless of culture, place, and time period?

Examples:

• Death is a natural part of the life cycle; life and death are interconnected.
• Examples of texts with this theme: Charlotte’s Web, Finding Nemo
• Children confront many dangers and evils as they grow up.
• Examples of texts with this theme: Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty 

6-    What do you think is the significance of the title? How does it connect to the overall text?

Other notes on theme:

• Avoid using clichés such as 1. Don’t judge a book by its _______________. 2. ____________ conquers all. Instead, state it in your own words.
• There are usually several themes in a text; focus on 1 or 2.
• Themes are supported by evidence at several different points in a text. Make sure you can back up what you think it is. Try to track a theme from the beginning to the end.

Activity: Identify themes in your book club book. Take notes on one or more of the above questions. For your next book club, create an individual synthesis page on theme in your notebook. Provide at least 3 quotations + elaboration + conclusion.