Themes: The theme of a literary work is its underlying central idea, or the generalization it communicates about life. As you read, think about the comment the author is making about their subject matter. What revelation about the behavior of human beings or the conduct of society, or insight into the human condition is the author attempting to convey throughout the text? At times, the authors theme may not confirm or agree with your own beliefs, but even then, if it is skillfully written, the work will still have a theme that illuminates some aspects of the human experience.
Possible themes (click on web essays): https://keywords.nyupress.org/american-cultural-studies/
Directions: Choose one or two texts we have read or that you choose from the course reader. It does not have to be a text we have read yet, but it does need to be from the reader. Write a well-organized essay with a clear thesis that identifies the theme (think of our keywords) you believe the author(s) conveys through the text and how they convey it. It does not have to be a positive articulation of a theme. You can analyze how a writer critiques an idea or theme as well. How does the author use characters, events and literary devices to illustrate the theme? Use evidence from the text to support your analysis.
Guiding Questions
What important idea or theme does this literary work convey? (think of the keywords we discussed)
What do characters do that helps illustrate this idea?
What do characters say that helps to illustrate this idea?
What events take place in the work that help to illustrate this idea?
Are there any recurrent images or clusters of images? Do these images support the idea or theme that you find in the work?
What does the narrator say that helps to illustrate this idea?
Writing your Essay
Read the grading rubric for this essay so you know what is expected.
Determine the theme or set of themes.
Form a thesis statement. (https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/)
Use the outline below to organize your thinking and your writing.
Use a minimum of two (2) direct quotes from the text to support the main idea of each body paragraph in your essay. Dont rely on the quotes to explain themselves. Lead your reader into the quote, comment on the quote, and show how the quote supports your main idea.
OUTLINE FOR LITERARY ANALYSIS: THEME (use as a guide)
Introduction
Introduce the text or texts you read. Include the title and the author.
Use one or two sentences to express your personal opinions on the subject of the book
State the theme you conclude from the book(thesis)
Describe in general, how the author expresses such theme, i.e. by using characterization, symbolism, setting or conflicts, etc. (this will be where you lead in to your body paragraphs)
Body
Write three paragraphs to explain how the author expresses the theme in his book. Include the following information:
What literary devices did the author use to illustrate the theme? (i.e. characterization, setting, conflicts, symbolism, setting, imagery)
Conclusion
Restate your theme
What did you think of the theme? How has it affected you? (Has it confirmed or changed your opinions or thoughts?)
After you complete your final essay, you need to CAREFULLY proofread it, or have someone else proofread it.
Re-read your essay to look for:
Spelling
Complete sentences
Punctuation (direct quotes from the text should be in quotation marks with the page number in parentheses afterwards). Ex: When Maggie wanted to leave the party she stated, Im not feeling well, I think we should go (p. 63). This illustrates Maggies …
Essay should be typed in Times New Roman 12 pt. font and double spaced.
Include the following at the top of the essay: Name, Title of Essay, Date
Requirements:
Due: March 12 by 11:59 pm uploaded as a Word document to Blackboard. I do not accept emailed assignments.
1200-2000 words
Works cited (not included in word count) that lists all texts you quote from. You are not required to use outside sources for this essay, but you may if you like. However, you do have to cite from your primary text and include it in a works cited.
RESOURCES:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/teacher_and_tutor_resources/teaching_resources/writing_a_literary_analysis_presentation.html
I choose the theme IDENTITY and this is the reading I am choosing to write about. http://www.katechopin.org/pdfs/desirees-baby.pdf
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