Theme

We have talked before about how clever authors are when they write their stories to get across bigger messages about life. You think at first that what's happening in the story is most important. But we have learned that there's a "story under the story. " Most of the time, authors are trying to get us to think about bigger life issues as we connect to the main characters. 

For example, I went to the bakery for a cream doughnut. I was so excited, thinking about the creamy goodness and powdered sugar. I was ready. I stood in a long line. I was at the end of the line the whole time because no one came in after me. This annoyed me because I always feel some degree of satisfaction when someone gets in line behind me and I know I'm in front of them. But it ended up to be a good thing because of what happened when I got to the front. I asked for one cream doughnut. "We're all out, " the woman behind the counter said. I was heart-broken. "Let me see if I can do anything. "The woman disappeared into the back. She came out a moment later with another woman. The second woman said, "You just want one? " I told her that was all I wanted She said, "Don 't tell anyone I'm doing this for you because then everyone will ask us. I have a few doughnuts put aside for jelly. I can fill one of those with cream instead. " I was thrilled. What was really happening here? This woman was really helping me out. While they were out of cream doughnuts, there was something else that could be done. 

This is a very simple story, but the point is... sometimes there 's more than what you can see. When you are reading, it's important to look further to find out what MORE there is. What is in this story that goes beyond what's written in black and white? 

So, looking at theme in the story can provide clues about how the story was influenced and how it unfolded.

• What are you noticing about theme that affects how the story is being told? 

• What is the character doing/thinking that relates to the theme?

• What does the author what you to learn?

• What big life message is the author trying to get you to think about?  

What Readers Think About When Reading Critically

• We notice the impact of the setting on the characters.

• We think about whether a character's traits affect him/her.

• We see the story from different characters' points of view.

• We consider how the social issue affects the story.

• We think about whether a character's actions are fair or unfair.

• We try to understand what the author is trying to teach us.

• We notice the pressure that characters face.

• We try to understand what a character really wants and feels.

• We study and interpret symbols to better understand the story.

• We think about who in the story has power over others.