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The Development of Theme
Theme is the central idea of a literary work. However, many works are so complex that several themes are developed simultaneously. The theme is usually an insight about life or the human experience. Occasionally, the theme of the work is stated directly. Usually it is implied. In every case, finding theme means understanding the whole work. To develop a theme statement, follow these steps....
1. Choose a topic/issue/idea/subject from the work being discussed.
For example, a predominant topic in Things Fall Apart seems to be resistance to change..
In The Wizard of Earthsea, LeGuin is fascinated with the idea of names.
In The Butter Battle Book, Dr. Seuss writes about different ways of living.
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2. Form a statement that answers this question:
What does the author believe about this topic?
For example, what does Achebe believe about change? LeGuin about names? Seuss about differences?
In Things Fall Apart, Achebe seems to believe that if man does not find a way to wisely adapt to change, he will perish resisting the inevitable.
In The Wizard of Earthsea, LeGuin seems to believethat person must know his true and
full name before he can discover any other truths about himself.
In The Butter Battle Book, Dr. Seuss believes that differences may cause warfare.
3. Trace the evidence in the play that mentions, touches on, or develops this theme statement. You would begin your search by noting any mention of the topic, determining what meaning is being implied, and identifying the author's tone or attitude toward the topic. This evidence ought to reinforce, or support, what you have already identified as the author's theme.
For example, Okonkwo was slow to examine anything new or different and quick to strike out at anything that threatened his established habits.
So, too, LeGuin demonstrates this theme by revealing Ged's naming ceremony
And Dr. Seuss creates two worlds prepared to go to war simply because they eat their
bread and butter differently from each other.
A theme is the author’s belief about a topic, idea, concept, or subject. A theme existed in the heart of the author before the book was written, and the theme is most often the reason the author wrote the book. Good thematic statements do not mention the work at all and sound like wise and insightful, universal observations about human nature and the experience of living. Understanding the theme of a work is the culminating and most significant step for all readers.