SUBJECT

• is usually only one or two words
• tells what the story is about
• is often called a Universal Theme
  • goes beyond culture or historical time period
• Examples:
  • good versus evil
  • life & death
  • love & loss
  • coming of age
  • redemption
  • prejudice

THEME

• is more complicated that the subject
• tells a truth about life
• tells how to live life best
• makes an observation about what it’s like to be human

HOW TO FIND THE THEME

• Ask, “What about (the subject)?”
• Look for what a character learns about life.
• Look for connections to human lives.
• Look for hints in the title.
• Look for a great truth stated in the story itself.