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To understand theme, we need to first understand main idea. So, what is main idea?
the most important or central thought of a paragraph or larger section of text, which tells the reader what the text is about
Aspects of Main Idea
Main idea tells what the story is about
Main Idea is very specific—Tells exactly what is happening in the piece at that time or in the piece as a whole.
Main idea doesn’t apply to anything but that specific work.
For example:
What is the main idea of this paragraph from Prologue, The Flag?
“Yes, often, I am reminded of her, and in one of my vast array of pockets, I have kept her story to retell. It is one of the small legion I carry, each one extraordinary in its own right. Each one an attempt – an immense leap of an attempt – to prove to me that you, and your human existence, are worth it.”
In contrast, what is THEME?
A theme is the underlying topic of a discussion or a recurring idea in an artistic work.
Aspects of Theme
Theme is a topic or message covered throughout the story that is often a moral or a “truth”
Theme is usually not stated outright, but is determined by the reader
Theme is not specific to one story at one time, but can apply to real life and other works.
Theme and The Book Thief
What are some recurring topics in The Book Thief? Try to come up with at least two.
Take notes on the PowerPoint or information above and turn them in. Make sure that you've written down definitions, the aspects of theme and main idea, the differences between theme and main idea, and answered the questions.