Theme
What is a theme?
The lesson/message an author communicates
What is a central idea?
What a particular story is mostly about.
What is Vivian's main conflict?
Vivian must leave the home she loves and adjust to a new city.
Name one detail showing Vivian is sad to leave.
She cries as Boston disappears; waves goodbye to familiar places; worries about leaving her friends, etc.
What is the main topic of the story's theme?
Change / adjusting to change / new experiences.
What is the story mostly about?
Vivian is upset about moving from Boston but gradually begins enjoying her new home in San Francisco.
How does the setting change?
Boston → journey across the country → San Francisco.
What first shows Vivian may like San Francisco?
She imagines riding her bike down San Francisco's hills.
Why isn't "change" a theme?
"Change" is only a topic; a theme expresses a message about change.
Why isn't "Vivian moves to San Francisco" a strong central idea?
It only tells one event; it leaves out Vivian's feelings/change.
How does the pink door affect Vivian?
The pink door reminds Vivian of her old home's red door and makes the new house feel more familiar.
What does North Beach remind Vivian of?
Boston's North End
What theme does Vivian's changing attitude support?
Something like Change can result in a mix of emotions or Giving new experiences a chance can lead to unexpected happiness
How does the central idea develop from beginning to end?
She begins resistant and unhappy but gradually discovers things she enjoys about San Francisco.
How does North Beach help move the plot forward?
North Beach reminds her of Boston's North End, helping her realize that her new city has things she can enjoy.
Give evidence that Vivian's attitude has changed.
She thinks San Francisco might be as wonderful as Boston / thinks about the new friends she will meet.
Give a theme AND explain how Vivian develops it.
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State the central idea without using more than one sentence.
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How do the setting AND Vivian's actions help develop the plot?
The new settings expose Vivian to similarities and new experiences; her increasingly positive reactions show the conflict beginning to resolve.
Give TWO details that support the theme.
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