THEME

MEMORIZE THIS DEFINITION!

THEME
The central idea or insight revealed by a work of literature.

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Most of the time, themes are implied. In other words, the author rarely comes out and says, “The theme of this story is …” As a reader you must use clues from the text to discover what the work’s meaning is.

Two Important Clues to Determine Theme:
1. The way the main character has changed
2. The way the conflict has been resolved

You should note that there is no single correct way to express a theme. Many stories have multiple themes, and others have ambiguous themes, open for interpretation (even opposing ideas some times).

The theme is what the writer wants the reader to discover about the subject.

To find a theme many times all you have to do is ask -- what did the main character learn throughout the course of this story? Many times that is how the author reveals the theme.

What is the theme of The Giver? Make sure that you express the theme in at least one COMPLETE SENTENCE.

Proceed to the TONE ASSIGNMENT.