English ? Theme Notes ? 8/15/18 What is a theme? Controlling idea or central insight of text. Unifying generalization about life. Finding the theme. Through characters: Did the character change? Does the character learn/realize something? Through language: Figurative language, recurring imagery. Through conflict: What are the 2 opposing sides? What is the resolution? Identify topics: Topic is not a theme. Topic = subject examined in text 1 or 2 words Often abstract Examples: love, loyalty, nature, consequences of war Example topics: Passionate love Romance Family feuds Violence Fate Death Time How are themes expressed? In third person In a statement with a subject and predicate. As a generalization about life Things to avoid writing themes: First or second person (we, you, I)