Download Theme - Images

Theme
How to find the Grail
What are theme and
motif?
• The theme of a fable is its
moral.
• The theme of a parable is
its teaching.
Theme: a universal idea explored in a literary work; a
statement about life
Motif: a recurring structure, object, or literary device in
literature
Themes are not presented directly at all. You extract it from
the characters, action, and setting that make up the story. In
other words, you must figure out the theme yourself.
Finding the Theme
Theme, plot, and structure are inseparable, all helping to inform
and reflect back on each other. Also, be aware that a theme we
determine from a story never completely explains the story. It is
simply one of the elements that make up the whole.
How to find the theme in a story:
• Check out the title. Sometimes it tells you a lot about the theme.
• Notice motifs (repeating patterns and symbols.) Sometimes these
lead you to the theme.
• What references and morals are repeated throughout the story?
• What are the details and particulars in the story? What greater
meaning may they have?
Greek themes
• Fate – You cannot avoid it.
• Bloodshed =‘s more bloodshed – Revenge just goes
on and on.
• Reward for Good and Punishment for Evil
• Pride and Arrogance will get you trouble
• Courage is rewarded
• Love often requires sacrifice
• Hospitality to strangers is
good
• Faith in the gods is rewarded
Some Motifs in Greek Mythology
•
•
•
•
•
•
Hero’s quest
Fate
Beauty
Love
War
Cannibalism
Let’s Try It!
1. Make a list of stories in mythology that
represent the theme Fate is Unavoidable.
2. Now, think about modern stories or stories
from your own life that might represent fate.
3. How do you explain fate as an idea that the
Greeks used, but that is still universal to
everyone?
Avoid lots of plot summary!
\
Assume the reader knows the plot
and you are simply writing about the
parts that prove your point.
How? - Only tell the part of the plot that illustrates your point
Instead of writing: Oedipus’s father was told that his son was
going to grow up and kill him, so he sent him to the
mountain to be killed. Instead of killing Oedipus, the
shepherd took pity on him. One day when….(and then
going on to tell the whole story….)
Write: The very act of trying to escape his fate led Oedipus to
fulfill the destiny the oracle laid out for him before he was
born. Because he didn’t know whose son he was, he killed
his father and married his mother.
Group Work
1. Get in groups of 3-4.
2. Brainstorm a list of themes or motifs
(or both) that you/your group found while reading
Hamilton’s mythology.
3. Pick one that you all understand and can explain.
4. Write a brief description of the myth/myths that are
examples of your theme/motif.
5. Explain how your theme/motif was as an idea that the
Greeks used, but that is still universal to everyone.
6. Provide a modern story or stories from real life that
might represent your theme/motif.
7. Put all of your information on a large piece of paper for
hanging in the hall.
Stop here!
Get Started.
1. Think about something in the book that stands
out to you as a main idea or theme.
• Was there one idea that was mentioned repeatedly?
• Was there an idea that many characters spoke about?
• Was there something the teacher mentioned over and over?
2. Search the story you are reading for other passages that
support your idea.
3. Write down those passages word for word (minimum of four, if
possible). Don't forget to include the page number
from which you're quoting!
4. Answer these questions about your theme:
• What do all the quotes you have noted have in common?
• What are the connections, in your mind, between the
quotes/ideas?
• In your opinion, what do you think the author’s “hidden
message” was when she or he wrote the story?
Universal Themes
• Man Struggles Against Nature: Man is always at battle with
human nature, whether the drives described are physical, material
or against the aging process itself. (Remember in Greek myths, the
gods represent nature.)
• Wrong-doing Does Not Pay: The concept that honesty is honored
and wrong-doers will eventually be caught.
• Overcoming Adversity: Characters accept a tough situation and
turn it into triumph.
• Friendship is Dependant on Sacrifice: You can't have friends if
you don't act like a friend.
• Family is the Most Important Thing in Life: Sacrifices for family
are honored, as are the family bonds that survive adversity.
• Yin and Yang: Just when you think life is finally going to be easy,
something bad happens to balance it all out.
• Love is the Worthiest of Pursuits: In Greek mythology the idea
that love conquers all appears more than once.
• Death is Part of Life: death and life and intricately connected.
• Sacrifices Bring Reward: Sacrifices and hard work pay off in the
end, despite the challenges along the way.