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Themes for Essay 2

Taken from Norton Introduction to Literature, Shorter Edition, 13th edition. Edited by Kelly Mays, pages 432-433.

l. Pay attention to the title. A title will seldom spell out in full a work's main theme, but some
titles do suggest a central topic or topics or a clue to theme. Probe the rest of the story to see what, if any, insights about that topic it ultimately seems to offer.

2. List any recurring phrases and words, especially those for abstract concepts (e.g., love,
honor). Certain concrete terms (especially if noted in the title) may likewise provide clues;
objects of value or potency might attract significant attention in the text (an heirloom, a weapon, a tree in a garden). Then probe the story to see how and where else it might implicitly deal with that concept or entity and what, if any, conclusions the story proposes.

3. Identify any statements that the characters or narrator(s) make about a general concept, issue, or topic such as human nature, the natural world, and so on. Look, too, for statements that potentially have a general meaning or application beyond the story, even if they refer to a
specific situation in it. Then consider whether and how the story as a whole corroborates,
overturns, or complicates any one such view or statement.

4. If a character changes over the course of the story, articulate the truth or insight that he or she seems to discover. Then consider whether and how the story as a whole corroborates or complicates that insight.

5. Identify a conflict depicted in the work and state it in general terms or turn it into a general question, leaving out any reference to specific characters, situations, and so on. Then think about the insight or theme that might be implied by the way the conflict is resolved.