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Learn how to find the big 'life lesson' or message hidden within a story.
Have you ever finished a movie and felt like you learned something important about life, even though the story was about space aliens or talking toys? That 'feeling' is actually the author's secret message waiting for you to find it.
To understand a story, you must know the difference between plot and theme. The plot is the sequence of events—it is the 'who, what, where, and when.' The theme is the 'so what?' It is the big idea or the life lesson the author wants you to take away.
Think of a story like a pizza. The plot is the crust, the sauce, and the toppings—it's what the pizza is made of. The theme is the flavor or the experience of eating it. While the plot is specific to that one story (like a pepperoni pizza), the theme is universal, meaning it can apply to many different stories and even to your own life.
Quick Check
If a story is about a girl named Sarah who trains hard to win a gymnastics gold medal, is 'winning the medal' the plot or the theme?
Answer
It is the plot. The theme would be something like 'hard work leads to success.'
A universal theme is an idea that everyone, no matter where they live, can understand. Authors don't usually come out and say, 'The theme of this book is...' Instead, they leave clues.
Three of the most common themes in Grade 6 literature are: 1. Courage: A character faces a fear or stands up for what is right. 2. Friendship: The story explores how friends support each other or how relationships change. 3. Honesty: The character learns that telling the truth is better than lying, even if the truth is hard.
When you spot these ideas repeating in a story, you have likely found the theme!
1. The Plot: A bored shepherd boy lies and says a wolf is attacking his sheep. When a real wolf finally comes, no one believes him. 2. The Climax: The boy loses his sheep because he lost the village's trust. 3. The Theme: Honesty is the best policy. If you lie, people won't believe you even when you tell the truth.
Quick Check
Why is 'Honesty' considered a 'universal' theme?
Answer
Because it is a lesson that applies to everyone in the real world, not just the boy in the story.
The best way to find a theme is to watch the main character. Characters usually start a story with a problem or a flaw. By the end of the story, they have usually changed or learned something new. This change is the 'bridge' to the theme.
Ask yourself these three questions: - What was the character like at the beginning? - What was the character like at the end? - What caused them to change?
If a character starts out selfish but ends the story by sharing their most prized possession, the theme is likely about the power of generosity.
1. Beginning: Leo has superpowers but is too scared to use them because he thinks people will laugh at him. 2. Middle: A giant boulder is about to hit the school bus. Leo realizes he is the only one who can stop it. 3. End: Leo saves the bus. He realizes that helping others is more important than his own fear. 4. Theme: True bravery is acting to help others even when you are afraid.
Two students, Sam and Alex, compete for the same scholarship. Sam tries to sabotage Alex's project but feels guilty and stops. In the end, Alex wins, but Sam realizes that their friendship was worth more than the money. 1. Analyze the change: Sam moved from 'competition' to 'valuing friendship.' 2. Identify the theme: This story explores the theme that relationships are more valuable than material success.
Which of these is a THEME rather than a plot point?
If a character learns to stop lying after getting into trouble, what is the most likely theme?
A story can only have one single theme.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to explain the difference between 'plot' and 'theme' to a friend or family member using the pizza analogy.
Practice Activity
Pick your favorite movie. Write down three things that happen (plot) and one big lesson the main character learned (theme).