Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Post #3 Theme

Learning Goal:  Understand theme as conveyed through characters, actions, and images.
Please read pages 220-221 of our blue Holt Elements of Literature textbook for more information about theme.  According to our textbook:
The plot of a story is only what happens in it.
The theme is what the story reveals about life.
What happens in a story may help readers infer the theme, but the theme goes beyond the specific story to state a truth about real life.  A life lesson.
To discover the theme of a story, the reader will have to ‘read between the lines.’  Authors don’t usually come right out and state the theme word for word.  Authors want us to infer the theme based on what the character discovers or how they change.
The lesson a character learns can be stated as a theme.  Always state the theme as a complete sentence. 
Remember that plot is what happens in a story and theme is what the story reveals about life. 
1.       What is one major theme of the novel?
2.       Support your answer by referring to a significant part of the plot.
      3.  Read all of the information above to help you answer the two questions.
   
      4. Be sure to read your classmate's comments.  Learn from them. Respond to their comments in some   
          way.  Support each other's understanding of the theme.  Talk about it!

61 comments:

  1. The major theme of the novel is luke is a third child and hes always in the house until he meets another third child who knows some good things about being a third child and being adventourous Luke has a hard life but he can handle it

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  2. I think the major theme of the novel is luke is tierd of always being alone and he wants someone to be his friend so he does some thinking and he wants to be friends with the sports families 3rd child.

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  3. The theam of this novel is that people should have all the rights the other people have and all the same freedom and be treated the same.
    Alorra, Jessica, & Ethan E

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  4. the theam f this novel is that he is always stuck inside and he wnats to get out and go outside and have the same freedom as everybody else

    chris k

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  5. i think the song im not afeid fits this book

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  6. NOT AFRAID by enimem AND FOR THE RECORD CHRIS K TOOK MINE FROM ME GRIFFIN J

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  7. Boys from period 3-- what theme do you think these songs fit?

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  8. not afaird because jen is not afraid

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  9. not afraid by eminem and the theam is bravery like ur not afraid to do what u believe in

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  10. Chris K-- You started by describing a plot event. Also, be careful. Does that statement only apply to the book? Can it apply to real life? Try organizing your thoughts this way:
    1. Topic:
    2. Theme:
    3. Plot event which supports the theme

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  11. some peole r afraid and they need to over come there fears

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  12. the theme of this book is that all people shoud have equl rites

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  13. Let's look at Chris' comment "some people r afraid and they need to over come there fears"

    So could a theme statement be..........?

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  14. Not Afraid by eminem and the song talks about someone being stuck in this random place such as a house and trying to get out and taking a risk of getting out of that place so it is taking risks.If u dont take risks u will not get anywhere in life so take risks and live life like its ur last

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  15. I think the topic is bravery and the theme is believe in yourself and dont be afraid to do anything also to be brave and risk anything to get your own rights. like how jen and 40 others marched right up to the president while risking thier life to get their rihgts for other third children in the world.
    -Mackenzie knox:)

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  16. Mackenzie-- I think your topic and theme can be supported well. However, have you read the end of the book yet?

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  17. the theme of the story is that luke is hidden his whole life and he has to learn how to survive in the outside world.

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  18. The topic of this book is about luke and his only friend jen that he meets about the middle of the book.The main theme of the book among the hidden is trust.Because everyone he knows he has to trust or else him, his family and friends(jen)would face harsh punishment that they shouldn't deserve. Blake B.& Callum P.

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  19. I think the topic is "bravery" because hes brave enough to go outside to jen's house and he trusts hiself to go to the rally and not be seen. The theme is to belive in what you belive in , what im trying to say is the theme is make a good disision

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  20. The theme of this book is everyone should have the same rights. The part in the story where Jen tells Luke about the rally. Jen thinks that all the shadow children should have the same rights as everyone else. The other shodow children that Jen chats with on the computer agree with Jen too.
    I agree with someone that said the song I'm Not Afraid does go with this book.
    ~kk~

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  21. the theme isa that luke is hidden his whole life and he mus survive in the outside world cody and patrick

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  22. ok so i think it does go with the song im not afraid... but i also agree with chris k because people do need to come over there fears i also think thee song firework by katy perry fits this book so yea! if u dont agree with me u can correct me! :) <3 Mikayla <3 :)

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  23. i think the topic is about friendship. the theme is is to trust. i think a song that mantches this song is "ganade by bruno mars" it works cuz he would do anything 4 jen.
    jess hughes period 4

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  24. I think the topic is about freedom becasue in my opion i think you should have your own personal rights and i think that you are allowed to express how you feel about different rights. Again in my opinion the author is teaching a reader that its about trusting yourself to do things and stand up to what you beleive in.

    Sarah c :)

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  25. Jess from period 4- topic is one word long. Theme is one sentence long and is a lesson we are to learn after reading the book. So the topic could be friendship. But what lesson are we to learn about friendship? A topic could be trust, but what lesson are we to learn about trust?

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  26. Cody and Patrick from period 4-- you wrote about plot events. What is the lesson the author is trying to teach us based on these plot events?

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  27. Blake and Cal--
    1. You wrote:The topic of this book is about luke and his only friend jen that he meets about the middle of the book
    A. I say-- A topic is usually one word long like; friendship, perseverance, acceptance, etc.
    2. You wrote: The main theme of the book among the hidden is trust.

    Try organizing your thoughts in this way:
    Topic:
    Theme:
    Plot events which support the theme:
    A. I say--Since this is one word long, it seems like it is a possible topic. A theme statement is one sentence long and is a lesson we should learn in life.

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  28. GET OVER THE SONGS AND ACTUALLY READ THE DANG BOOK AND USE YOUR BRAIN BECAUSE I KNOW YOUR NOT!!

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  29. learn how to spell not afraid and get over that song.How does it match the topic.(michael r from period 6).

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  30. this books theme is about freedom NOT JEN TAKING A STAND OR NOT AFRAID ALTHOGH EMINEM IS AWESOME!!!:):)
    GARRETT GRANDIS

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  31. Garrett from period 6-- Freedom is a possible toic for this novel. What lesson is the author trying to teach us about freedom? What lesson does the character learn?

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  32. I think the theme is beliveing and DON'T STOP BELIVEING!!!
    GARRETT G.

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  33. The topic is freedom and rights because no family should have a limit of two kids. They should be able to express what they think and kids like Luke and Jen should NOT have to hide forever. Andy Steward 6

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  34. Garrett-- Getting closer! Make your thinking more clear. What makes you think that the theme is 'Don't Stop Believing!' What plot events support that theme? What would the topic be?

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  35. Topic-freedom
    Theme-beleive in what you dream of but not the kind of dreams with unicorns and cotten candy land its the freedom dream and everybody should have equal rights.
    by johnny n. and zach s.

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  36. The theme is DON'T STOP BELIVEING BECAUS Jen never had dought she kept trying and beliveing
    Garrett G

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  37. I'm awesome Zach S.

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  38. Topic:Freedom because Luke,Jen and all the other third children want the same rights as all the other the children Michael R from 6th period

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  39. Lesson:all people should be treated the same.Michael R from 6th period.

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  40. Jonny is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  41. i think it is bravery and freedom because i think that luke is just brave by going out side and to some other 3rd childs house
    and freendom because jen has the freedom with going on thw computer and stuff like that!
    taylor b period 7

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  42. The major theme is think before you act because if he chose the wrong decisions something bad could've happened.
    ~Poyo Fletto <3

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  43. I THINK THE THEME IS "BELIEVE IN BELIEFS" BECAUSE JEN BELIEVS IN TRYING TO PROTEST TO MAKE THE LAW OUTLAWED!!!





    BY JASON P 7TH PERIOD

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  44. lesson:all people should be treated the same .by Alex b.$$$$$$$$$$

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  45. i think the theme is that if u belive in something then u should go for it it's kind of like the dont stop belivin comment jen is going all the way she wants her freedom


    taylor s block 7

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  46. i think the theme is "stand up for what you belive in no matter what happends." because jen wanted freedom and arranged the rally no matter that she ended up dying anyway. and before she died she said "she wouldnt get get a fake I.D. until she could have one that said "Jen Talbot".
    Gabby E. 7th

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  47. whats the point with the songs people?

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  48. I agree with andy block 6 because no family should have 2 kid limit and blue whales r awesome ALEX B

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  49. y r ppl comparin songs 2 the book thts my question?

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  50. And also a song that would go with the book is dont stop beliveing!! beacuse jen never gave up in her life time she always thought that everybody should have the same rights
    gabby E.

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  51. THE LESSON IS PEOPLE SHOULD BE TREATED THE SAME!




    JUSTIN THE COOL KID BLOCK 7

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  52. i get that im not afraid is sort of the theme but u were off topic

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  53. id hate to say this but i think the song dont stop believing would be a good song for beliving..........

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  54. Gabby E like cheese!January 27, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    Taylor i agree with you beacuse jen did never give up and samee thing with luke sortove and because jen never gave up before she died...

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  55. IT IS THE THEME BECAUSE EVERY THIRD CHILD IS ILEGAL


    JUSIN L BLOCK 8 I AM AWESOME

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  56. hi mrs ob how ya doin???

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  57. i agree with alex b that every person should be treated the same


    JUSTIN L

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  58. I Think The Theme is Dont stop beliving in what you think.

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  59. or everybody should be treated the same =

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  60. i think one of the theme is "stand up for what you belive in" because jen never gave up going to the rally even though luke did not go.And because jen also wanted to stand up to the president for what she belives in and what she thinks is right.

    Taylor b period 7

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