Theme and Universal ThemeTheme and Universal Theme

ThemeTheme

A theme is the underlying meaning of a A theme is the underlying meaning of a piece of literature. It usually includes an piece of literature. It usually includes an observation about life. observation about life.

By the end of the story, the character By the end of the story, the character usually LEARNS A LESSON based on their usually LEARNS A LESSON based on their experiences. experiences.

How Can You Determine a Theme?How Can You Determine a Theme?

You are never actually TOLD what the You are never actually TOLD what the theme is in a story. You determine the theme is in a story. You determine the theme from the characters and action in a theme from the characters and action in a story. In short, you must determine the story. In short, you must determine the theme on your own. theme on your own.

Theme - Example 1 Theme - Example 1

Beauty and the Beast - Beauty and the Beast - The theme could The theme could be described as “you must look beyond be described as “you must look beyond superficial surface beauty and look for superficial surface beauty and look for what's inside the heart”what's inside the heart”

Theme - Example 2 Theme - Example 2

AladdinAladdin - The theme could be described as - The theme could be described as love is not earned through money, but from love is not earned through money, but from the heart. the heart.

Theme - Example 3Theme - Example 3

Lion KingLion King - The theme(s) could be - The theme(s) could be described as revenge, self-worth, and described as revenge, self-worth, and question of identity. question of identity.

Theme - Example 4Theme - Example 4

Finding NemoFinding Nemo - The theme could be - The theme could be described as love conquers fear. described as love conquers fear.

Theme - Example 5Theme - Example 5

Monsters Inc.Monsters Inc. - The theme could be - The theme could be described as responsibility. described as responsibility.

Universal ThemesUniversal Themes Universal themesUniversal themes add to the timelessness add to the timelessness

(They stay the same forever) of a piece (They stay the same forever) of a piece because they relate to us all--either in our because they relate to us all--either in our experiences or in our dreams. experiences or in our dreams.

Universal Themes A-ZUniversal Themes A-Z

- abuse of power- abuse of power - beating the odds- beating the odds - beauty- beauty - coming of age- coming of age - corruption- corruption - courage- courage - effects of the past- effects of the past - faith- faith - fall from grace- fall from grace - family- family

Universal Themes A-Z (cont’d)Universal Themes A-Z (cont’d) - fate- fate - fear- fear - fear of failure- fear of failure - freedom- freedom - friendship- friendship - greed- greed - hate- hate - heritage- heritage - heroes- heroes - honesty- honesty - innocence- innocence - justice- justice - love- love - loyalty- loyalty

Universal Themes A-Z (cont’d)Universal Themes A-Z (cont’d)

- manipulation- manipulation - nature- nature - need for change- need for change - obligation- obligation - parent-child relationships- parent-child relationships - peace- peace - peer pressure- peer pressure - perseverance- perseverance - Power of the mind vs. authority- Power of the mind vs. authority

Universal Themes A-Z (cont’d)Universal Themes A-Z (cont’d)

- prejudice- prejudice - pride- pride - revenge- revenge - secrecy- secrecy - security/safety- security/safety - seizing the moment- seizing the moment - survival- survival - the overlooked- the overlooked - the road not taken- the road not taken - war- war - winners and losers- winners and losers

Example of Universal ThemeExample of Universal Theme

What is the universal theme presented in What is the universal theme presented in How the Grinch Stole ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole Christmas? ?

Selfishness and Greed

What What other storiesother stories have the same universal have the same universal theme of theme of the individual overcoming one’s the individual overcoming one’s

selfishness and greedselfishness and greed?? The main character Ebenezer Scrooge in The main character Ebenezer Scrooge in

Charles Dickens’ Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol A Christmas Carol symbolizes a greedy wealthy man symbolizes a greedy wealthy man

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What is the Universal Theme?What is the Universal Theme?

2015 Mini Movie

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What is the Theme?What is the Theme?

My Little Pony