Finding the Theme of a Book
Saturday March 4, 2006
For a Book Report
"Describe the theme of the book in your book report,” the teacher says.
Everybody else seems to understand, but you don’t. What is a theme? Will you know it when you see it? What if you get it wrong? Don't worry--finding the theme of a book is not that complicated. Just look for an idea that flows through the book and states something about life.
Photo by Greek Golangco
Comments
This article is extremely helpful in finding a theme for any type of essay. I am in college, and although this is a very simple article, this helped me to focus my ideas.
WTF is that supposed to mean?
WTF is that suppose to mean?
im still very confused
you didnt even explain what it was
I think there is some confusion about this post. It is not an article; it is a blog that links to an article. If you click on the title you’ll understand.
It does help, but I still don’t get what the theme is!
this is a bad thing i hate it
it doesnt help at all
sucks
hey, how do u write about it???
any1 read da outsiders???
what is the theme???
In the first chapter of the book I see many things you could talk about as a theme. I’m going to give you some ideas, but the writing is up to you!
In the opening of the book, you find out that Ponyboy has gone to the movies, but he has gone alone (as usual) because none of his friends appreciate the stories as much as he does. I find a great irony in this. Why?
When you appreciate a story, you find something interesting about how it was made, what the story says beneath the surface, or how you can relate to the events or the people. As humans grow and mature they learn by experience.
Ponyboy obviously thinks deeply about movies and examines them and their messages.
So here is the irony: this is exactly what you must do when you read this book in class! You are being asked to be like Ponyboy and think about the story.
As you read back over the book, look for these themes and put a sticky note flag anywhere you see them come up:
Rich versus poor: Are rich people and poor people different, or are they the same?
Good and evil: Are some people good and some people evil?
Justice and injustice: Do we always get what we deserve or is there no justice in life?
Friendship: Is friendship lasting? Is it fragile?
Innocence: We often speak of innocence as a good thing. Is it all good? Is it lasting? Is it really a good thing? How can being too innocent get you into trouble?
Now look at which themes came up the most or which one you’d feel most comfortable writing about at length. Then go for it.
Blubber, Stupidity, Yo Mama, and Weirdo:
It looks like I need to spend a lot more time on book themes. Thanks for pointing this out. I will work on this and bring more attention to these comments.
this is messed i dont understaand wat the f is it supposed to mean i mean like come on if u wanna help write somthing that will ight!!
I don’t understand… I am looking for the theme of the book “The true story of the three little pigs”
nope thats exactly what my teacher said……………
that doesnt explain anything.wat the hell am i suppose to learn from that?
This site is like super helpful and no1 even like understands, omg. I guess not every1 is like heaps rich and pretty and massively smart(like moi!!!!) so u should all go to an easier site: you_are_totally_dum.com. OMG it would really help most of you out!!! love ya! xox
lmaooo, you guys are freakinn hilarious.
its simple. i get it.
good job explaining. :]
THANK YOU,
you just made me pass english
THIS MEANS that an idea in the book relates to something in life.
This article was very helpful. Thanks
that did not help me at all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this article is NO good!
so what is the theme for mice and men? Dummies are hard workers??? Dummies are people too? whatever