Definition of Theme: Generally the theme of a story is “what it is about”…but more specifically the theme of a story should provide some insight about life, human nature, or a commentary on society. In other words, it is the “take away” that the author wants us to think about after reading the story. It should be universally applicable, regardless of your personal identity or background. Good literature opens our minds to realities about life and living that we may not have considered before.
Write an essay analyzing the theme in one of the stories from the Literary Selections in this module.
Since a theme often involves making moral statements, you are free to express your opinion on whether you agree or disagree with the moral of the story.
As with all literary critiques, quotes from the story should be used to strengthen and support your analysis, and should be punctuated correctly .
the stories
“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson. Summary: This story describes a fictional small town which observes an annual tradition known as “the lottery,” in which a member of the community is selected by chance.
“A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner, p Summary: An impoverished aristocrat in the antebellum (post-civil war) South intimidates the townspeople, even though they know the dark secrets of her family and romantic history. Faulkner, like Edgar Allan Poe, blurs the lines between the living and the dead.
“The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien, p. Summary: American soldiers in Vietnam experience the weight of war, both physical and emotional
“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman,S ummary: “The Yellow Wallpaper” is written as a series of diary entries from the perspective of a woman who is suffering from post-partum depression.
“The Story of an Hour,” by Kate Chopin, Summary: Consider the role of women in the late 1800’s (time) along with descriptions of the scenery in the bedroom (place).
