Understanding Central Idea and Theme in Literary Analysis, Study notes of Literature

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CENTRAL IDEA VS. THEME

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It’s the idea that unifies the point of an article/text.

WHAT IS CENTRAL IDEA?

• CENTRAL IDEA refers to what the text is mainly about.
• Central idea is NOT the topic of the text.
• Central idea can most often be stated in one sentence.

WHAT IS THEME?

• Theme is the life lesson, author’s message, or moral of a

story.

• Readers have to make inferences to determine themes in

literature because themes are NOT directly stated.

• In order to determine the theme of a story, readers have to

think beyond the small details. Instead, readers must figure

out the big world lesson of the theme.

WHAT IS THEME?

• Theme IS NOT the same as central idea.
• Theme IS NOT the same as topic.
• One story can have multiple themes.
• Themes are often recognizable and repeated throughout literature.

COMMON THEMES

• Be careful what you wish for.
• Honesty is the best policy.
• Crime doesn’t pay.
• Sacrifice leads to reward.
• We are all the same on the inside.
• Money cannot buy happiness.
• Love conquers all. Topic of the theme Message/lesson about the topic

APPLICATION

Julia’s report card reflected poor grades. She felt she would get in trouble, so she hid her report card from her parents.When her parents discovered what her grades were, they grounded her for trying to hide the truth.

1. Watch what happens to the main character
2. Check for an obvious statement of a theme
3. Check the title for clues
4. Look at the main conflict
5. What are the general topics? What is the message about them?