The document discusses how to identify themes in literary works. It provides tips for finding themes such as considering the title, recurring patterns/symbols, and examining elements like setting, characters' actions/words, and point of view. Themes can explore universal ideas and may be implied rather than stated explicitly. Readers should analyze different elements of the work and use evidence from the text to support their interpretation of the theme(s).

1. Theme is the overall moral or message the
writer is trying to convey.
The message might be about life, society, or human
nature.
Themes often explore universal ideas and may be
implied rather than stated explicitly.
Theme is one of the most fundamental aspects of a
work of art.
Theme

2. •Many readers view themes differently, so you must
figure out the theme for yourself.
•No single theme is likely to be the ‘correct’ one, though
some seem more likely than others. Stories typically
have more than one theme.
•Theme is at the center; it is the moving force- the
principle of unity.
Theme

3. •Check out the title. Sometimes it tells you a lot about the
theme.
•Notice repeating patterns and symbols. Sometimes
these lead you to the theme.
•Theme can be revealed through: SETTING; CHARACTERS
actions, thoughts, and words; POINT OFVIEW, MOTIFS,
IMAGERY
•Also, be aware that a theme we determine from a story
never completely explains the novel. It is simply one of the
elements that make up the whole.
How do you find themes?

4. 1. Think of an idea that is in the story
2. Turn the idea into an assertion
3. Find rationalization of the assertion in the
story
4. Now, decide, is the assertion a theme?
How do you find themes?

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6. Friendship Friendship can be a challenge and a comfort.
Dreams Not all dreams come true.
Loneliness All people are lonely in their own way.
Strength Strength is not always a good physical characteris=c to have.
Dogs Dogs make good friends.
Farming Farming is a hard life.
Migrant workers Migrant workers must move around a lot.
Death Death is a tragedy.
Assertions

7. Rationalize
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11. Of Mice and Men is, in essence, a work that
defines friendship. Steinbeck highlights how
friendship can offer both comfort and
challenges; however, most importantly, it
shows readers that true friendship requires
selflessness.
Possible Thesis

12. One of the messages Steinbeck
wants to convey in Of Mice and Men
is that not all dreams are achievable,
but even the pursuit of a dream can
sustain us.
Possible Thesis

13. What theme or message does the
author convey in your text? How and
why are these messages
communicated?
Literary Analysis Essay -
Theme