English 10 Unit 3-1

​English 10 Unit 3 - 1

Literary Criticism

Theme​

3-1 Due date 3/04

3-2 Due date 3/07

3-3 Due date 3/11

3.4.3 CST Due 3/14

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​Unit 3 Literary Criticism

Literary criticism involves looking closer to get a deeper understanding of literature.​​

3-1 ​ Theme

3-2 ​Figurative Language

3-3 Context​

​Objectives: 3-1

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• Analyze the themes of a text and the way they develop.

• Identify the difference between a subjective and objective understanding of a text.

• Write an objective summary of a story and an analysis of how one of its central themes develops.​

​3.1.3 pg. 2 But themes aren’t spelled out — readers have to draw their own conclusions about theme. And just as you might understand the meaning of a painting differently from the person standing next to you, different readers might see different themes in the same story. And that’s O.K., as long as you can back up what you see with evidence.

In literature, evidence that supports a theme deals with ideas and emotions rather than cold, hard facts. There's no one right answer when it comes to identifying themes.

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​For example, in The Lord of the Rings, which involves many battles between a dark enemy and the forces of good, one of the more obvious themes is good versus evil. But if you look at the story more closely, it's also about a magic ring that can tempt its beholder to do bad things. You might call this theme, power corrupting the innocent. The series also focuses on the help the main character gets from his true and loyal friend, Sam, despite the terrible hardships they both face. So another theme might be the perseverance of friendship over hardship. 3.1.3 pg. 4

To find a theme , we must look at the different parts of a story and how they fit together. Keep in mind the following questions as you search for themes.​​

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• What are the time and place of the story? What relationships do the characters have with their surroundings?

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• What is the main character's motivation? What matters to this character? What does he or she want? What obstacles are in the main character's way? How does he or she overcome them?

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• What about the other characters in the story? Who are they? What relationships do they have with the main character?

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• Is there a specific idea or refrain — a phrase that's repeated — that seems to be important? Is this idea accepted or rejected by the main character? Are we as readers supposed to support this idea?

Multiple Choice

 You can often infer the theme of a piece of literature by ...

• evaluating how a character has changed

• sharing a character's experience

• determining how the conflict has resolved

• ALL of the above

​Themes are not morals. Morals tend to be cliche; themes are deeper and richer. 3.1.3 pg. 6

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​Broad themes--love, hate, loyalty, war is destructive (theme topics)

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Complex themes​-- Love can be wonderful, but sometimes there's a downside. Loyalty to one's family must be taught to youngsters. As people change, so do their friendships. (theme statements) pg. 5

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There can be multiple themes in a story or book.​

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Themes are personal. Not all themes "speak to" everyone.​

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following could be a theme of a story?

• Fear is more dangerous than any beast.

• A fear of heights.

• A brave young girl pretends to be a man and takes her father's place in the army.

• "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too."

Multiple Choice

Which of the following could be a theme of a story?

• A 35-year-old woman named Essie and her brother.

• Telling the truth may cause you pain, but in the end, it's better than lying.

• A small apartment in Marfa, Texas.

• Essie lied to her brother about her identity for two years, but she finally decided to tell him the truth.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following could be a theme of a story?

• Your past does not define you.

• A man sees a group of people he used to work with a long time ago.

• Returning home after a long time.

• An old man who used to be a farmer.

​3.1.7 Study

​This whole study deals with interpreting "To Build a Fire" by Jack London.

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The reader can read the facts and then make inferences and interpretations​ about the characters like the protagonist, the old-timer who gives advice, the dog, the cold, and the fire (or lack thereof).

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This whole process leads us to determine a theme or themes.​

​Objective / Subjective 3.1.9 pg.3

So what does it look like to write in a way that is either subjective or objective?

Objective writing tells what happened. FACTS

Subjective writing offers some interpretation or inference about what happened. In an analysis, a writer might subjectively speculate on why something happened or why a certain technique was used.​

Complete the CaTAGorizer at the bottom of page 3 to make sure you understand the difference!!!!​

Important!​ Writing assignment coming up. . .

Multiple Choice

"The tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, a skyscraper 2722 feet tall."

• Objective Statement

• Subjective Statemen

Multiple Choice

"Professional athletes are paid too much."

• Objective Statement

• Subjective Statement

Multiple Choice

The Sun is a star found at the centre of the Solar System and it is over 300,000 times larger than earth.

• Objective Statment

• Subjecive Statement

Multiple Choice

Butterflies are beautiful to look at, especially the brightly coloured ones.

• Objective Statement

• Subjective Statement

​3.1.10 Practice (3.1.9 Instruction & Writing Guide)

Write a description of Jack London's "To Build a Fire" with two parts:

1. A one-paragraph objective summary of the story that covers all the major plot events

2. A one-paragraph analysis of a theme that develops over the course of the story

Write the summary portion of the assignment as objectively as you can. Avoid giving your opinion, interpreting, or inferring. Your summary shouldn't include much detail. Provide the gist of each major event instead of getting wrapped up in description, unimportant events, or the character's thoughts and feelings.

In the analysis portion of the assignment, find a theme that the author shows in at least two different parts of the story.​

Read further for directions about headings​.

​3.1.9 Textbook pages

​This section gives you more help in learning about

Objective Summary and Thematic Analysis (subjective)​

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The pages in the Write Sections are always very helpful. Sadly often students skip over them. They think they're saving time. NOT SO!​

​RUBRIC !!!!

​Always use the rubric! I can't say it

loud enough or often enough!

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Here are two biggies!

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"Gives specific examples from the story to support the analysis" --- 4 points.

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Your assignment uses headings to distinguish the objective summary from the thematic analysis --- 2 points​

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​Objective writing offers: ___________
1. just the facts in a straightforward manner.
2. interpretation, inference and opinion.

Subjective writing offers: ___________
1. just the facts in a straightforward manner.
2. interpretation, inference and opinion.

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