Theme is that controlling idea or belief as to what is important and unimportant in life. It gives a basic meaning to a literary work. Generally, theme is inferred from the other elements in the short story and often evolves through conflict(s) experienced by the main character.
Adolescence finds itself vacillating between childhood securities and a young adult’s search to know oneself. In an effort to respond positively to students’ confusion and self-doubts, their preoccupation with peer status, their desire to achieve personal autonomy as well as help them to accomplish academic success, we believe a focus on the conflicts characteristic of the adolescent period and their emerging themes will help students to better understand themselves and those who touch their lives.
If we provide opportunities for this self awareness through selected short stories most students will more readily and willingly see self in their readings and more confidently share that self with others through their writings.
We have selected as the selection for theme 0. Henry’s story, “The Gift of the Magi”. The theme in this story expresses the universal belief that the best gifts are the gifts that are given from the heart.
This story can be found in the following books:
Adventures in Reading
Heritage Ed. Reading Level 9-10
Spotlight on Literature
Random House 3 Reading Level 4
Scope English Program
Level II Scholastic Book Services Reading Level 4-5
Reading Lesson Plan #1
Objective:
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To determine students’ understanding of inference.
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Procedure:
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The following questions can be used to lead an oral discussion of the story. The questions can be used either by the teacher to lead the entire group or may be used by students in smaller groups.
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1. Is “The Gift of the Magi” a good title for this story? Why or why not?
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2. If you had to give this story another title, what would it be and why?
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3. What kind of person does Della reveal herself to be?
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4. What is the most important idea (theme) you get from reading this story?
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5. What is the conflict in this story and how is it resolved?
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6. What point of view did 0. Henry use to write this story?
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7. What is the setting for this story?
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Evaluation:
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Students’ understanding of the story can be determined by their participation in oral discussion.
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Reading Lesson Plan #2
Objective:
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Drawing conclusions.
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Procedure:
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Read each of the following statements carefully. Each statement expresses an idea that may or may not be supported by the story. For each statement tell whether or not it can be supported from the story and list the details from the story that support your conclusion.
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1. A penny saved is a penny earned.
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2. Christmas is a difficult time of the year for many people.
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3. If you don’t have money, you should not try to buy gifts.
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4. Gifts are the most important part of Christmas.
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5. All poor people are miserable at Christmas.
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6. Doing things on the spur of the moment is always a bad idea; people should always think before doing something.
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7. Only rich people are really happy at Christmas.
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8. The way a person looks is an important part of a relationship.
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Evaluation:
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Accept all reasonable responses from students. Answers may vary.
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Writing Lesson Plan #1
Objective:
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To have students make use of allusions: to make reference to a person, place or event in art, history or the like to enhance their writing.
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Procedure:
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An allusion is a reference to some person, place or event that a reader is likely to recognize. The author intends to give a more enriched meaning to his/her literary work.
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1. While reading the story, “The Gift of the Magi”, make students aware of the allusions to the biblical stories of Solomon and Sheba and the Magi.
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2. Give students some well-known sayings:
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a. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
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b. It’s always darkest just before the dawn.
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c. Don’t change horses in midstream.
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3. Have students choose one familiar saying and write a situation where alluding to the saying would enhance their writing.
Evaluation:
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Have students read their writings aloud to class. Have the class assess whether the student has used allusions with a show of hands.
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Writing Lesson Plan #2
Objective:
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To familiarize students with proverbs—wise sayings—having them write their interpretation of each proverb as a theme about life.
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Procedure:
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Many basic controlling ideas about life can be expressed as a wise saying.
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Using some wise sayings from Salada tea bags, read aloud in class or write them on the board.
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Salada Tea Bag Specials
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1. Material Possessions— the more you own the more they own you.
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2. Sometimes silence makes the best company.
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3. Worry is the interest paid on trouble before it comes due.
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4. Age doesn’t matter unless you’re cheese.
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5. The accents on youth but the stress is on parents. Have students choose three of the five sayings and write what they think they mean in their journals.
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Have students write five original sayings or proverbs on their own.
Evaluation:
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Check students’ journals for responses to each of the above assignments.
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Related Activities
Maxims
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1. Orally with the entire group make a list of maxims: Better late than never, a penny saved is a penny earned, a stitch in time saves nine, etc.
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2. Copy the list on chart paper and leave it on display in the classroom. Leave space for additional maxims as they are thought of by students.
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3. When students have finished reading a story in class, have them look at the chart and determine if one of the maxims can sum up the controlling idea of the story.
Theme Songs
Many movies and television shows have theme songs (Happy Days) and the popularity of these shows has made many theme songs popular.
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1. Have students make a list of their favorite movies and television shows and next to them write their theme song.
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2. Have students tell why each particular song is a good one for the show.
Vocabulary
Theme
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Allusion
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Proverb
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Idea
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Maxim
Vocabulary Worksheet
The main idea or basic meaning of a literary work (short story) is called the
Theme
. Frequently a short story may have more than one controlling idea. Very often we can associate a wise saying or
Proverb
with the basic meaning of the story. Another way to express a fundamental rule of principle or conduct is using
Maxim
.
Sometimes a reference in one work of literature to a person, place or event in another work of literature or in history, art or music is known as an
Allusion
and quite effectively reinforces the meaning of a story.