Main Idea and Theme
You can always tell what the theme of a story is by..
Examining the words and actions of the characters
What is the theme of this story?
Long ago, a beautiful princess had all kinds of beautiful, expensive dresses. She bragged about them all of the time. The other maidens got so tired of hearing about it that they stopped being friends with her.
Don´t brag. Be humble and modest.
Which of the following statements is true?
a. No two stories can have the same theme.
b. Most stories will not have a theme.
c. Stories that are sad do not have a theme.
d. Theme is universal.
D. Theme is universal.
What is the theme of this story?
A long time ago there was a king who wanted nothing but gold. He wished everything he touched turned into gold. A fairy made this wish come true. Then anything he tried to eat turned into gold, so he starved to death.
Don´t be greedy.
When finding the theme of a text, why is it important to focus on the characters of the story?
Watching how the character´s grow, respond and learn helps the reader determine the theme.
Sometimes hope is all that you have- is an example of:
a. Main Idea
b. Fable
c. Plot
d. Theme
D. Theme
What is the theme of this story?
There was once some hardworking ants and a grasshopper who hated to work. The ants gathered food all spring while the grasshopper played. When winter came, the ants had enough food, but the grasshopper had nothing to eat.
Hard work pays off; don´t be lazy.
What makes a theme unique from a central idea?
A theme can be applied to other texts or your life. It is universal.
A central idea cannot.
Explain why the theme will never be stated outright.
Because the reader must infer from the character´s growth and changes.
What is the theme of this story?
A lion was about to eat a mouse. The mouse pleaded.¨Let me go, and someday I may help you.¨ Laughing, the lion let the mouse go. Later, some hunters caught the lion in a trap. The mouse came and chewed through the ropes and saved the lions´s life.
Help others because what goes around comes around.
What is the difference between the main idea of a story and the theme of a story?
The main idea is mostly what the story is about (a short summary). The theme is the life lesson or moral that the author wants us to remember. It may have nothing to do with the details of the story itself.
What is the theme of this story:
Once a cat was in a hurry. She ran across the street without looking. She narrowly escaped being hit by a car.
Look both ways before you cross the street.
The theme of a story is revealed at the....
End of the story. You must read a story in its entirety before deciding the theme.