Themes
Identifying Theme in Treasure Island
I. Theme:
· Central Idea coming out in the story
· The main focus of a character or characters
· The struggle or conflict within a character or between characters
· Theme appears physically and/or spiritually
· Abstract Concept (ex- justice, greed, loyalty etc.)
· The “Universal” (applies to all humans…connects with every human)
II. In-Class Brainstorming on Theme:
III. Group Project:
Four students will work in a group to complete an analysis of theme in Treasure Island.
Each group will choose 4 themes and find at least two quotes that support this theme.
Let’s take the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 as an example to help you understand what you will be doing in this project.
Suppose we pick the theme of repentance. We see support from the text for this theme of repentance when upon returning to his father, the boy says, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son”.
IV. Group Responsibilities:
Your responsibilities as a group will be to decide upon 4 themes that appear in Treasure Island and find 2 quotes that support/prove each theme. So you will collect a total of 8 quotes.
Then as a group, you will present to the class your findings, and we will evaluate together the following:
1. If that theme appears in Treasure Island
2. If the quotes support/prove each theme
***A QUOTE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE DIALOGUE. A QUOTE CAN BE THE WORDS OF THE NARRATOR***
V. Grading
Please Note- You will be graded individually although you are working in a group.
I. Theme:
· Central Idea coming out in the story
· The main focus of a character or characters
· The struggle or conflict within a character or between characters
· Theme appears physically and/or spiritually
· Abstract Concept (ex- justice, greed, loyalty etc.)
· The “Universal” (applies to all humans…connects with every human)
II. In-Class Brainstorming on Theme:
III. Group Project:
Four students will work in a group to complete an analysis of theme in Treasure Island.
Each group will choose 4 themes and find at least two quotes that support this theme.
Let’s take the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 as an example to help you understand what you will be doing in this project.
Suppose we pick the theme of repentance. We see support from the text for this theme of repentance when upon returning to his father, the boy says, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son”.
IV. Group Responsibilities:
Your responsibilities as a group will be to decide upon 4 themes that appear in Treasure Island and find 2 quotes that support/prove each theme. So you will collect a total of 8 quotes.
Then as a group, you will present to the class your findings, and we will evaluate together the following:
1. If that theme appears in Treasure Island
2. If the quotes support/prove each theme
***A QUOTE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE DIALOGUE. A QUOTE CAN BE THE WORDS OF THE NARRATOR***
V. Grading
Please Note- You will be graded individually although you are working in a group.
- Individual Assignment due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, August 20- Choose 4 themes in Treasure Island (10 points)
- Group Assignment due at the end of class on Tuesday, August 20- Group selects the 4 themes they will present to the class. (10 points)
- Individual Assignment due at the beginning of class on Wednesday, August 21- Find 1 quote supporting each theme. (20 points)
- Group Assignment due at the end of the class on Wednesday, August 21- Select the 2 best quotes for each theme. (10 points)