October 2nd: what is the difference between theme and topic?

Objectives: how texts develop themes through their choices of craft and content.
Distinguish between theme and topic

First be reel blog is now due on 10/18
2nd be reel blog is due 11/6 (end of marking period)

What does Theme mean?
-Overall message
-Author's point of view on an issue
-Topic + point of view

Topic Vs. Theme
Topic: An idea or subject that occurs in the text
Theme: Particular assertion about that topic (assertion: a claim)

1. There is only one theme for each text. FALSE
2. There may be many themes. TRUE
3. A theme is a lesson. FALSE
4. Complex texts develop more complex themes. TRUE
5. A theme can be one word. FALSE (a claim cannot be one word.)

Charlie brown christmas topics:
Love
friendship
underdogs
childhood

A theme asks " what about these topics?"
possible theme for charlie brown christmas: Spending time with friends and family is more important than spending money.

Just because 2 movies feature the same theme it does not mean the theme is similar

example: charlie brown christmas and die hard both share a christmas topic but do not share a similar theme at all.

Topics that are present in No Country for Old Men;
Police vs criminals (abstract)
guns (literal)
violence (abstract)
murder (literal)
drug deals (literal)
money (literal)
consequence and choice (abstract)
good vs evil (abstract)
cars (literal)
death (abstract)
loyalty (abstract)
western style (abstract)
psychotic killers (literal)

Themes from No Country for Old Men:
Every choice comes with a consequence.
Don't get involved in drugs and crime.
You are never certain of anything.
expect the unexpected.
don't trust anyone.
good doesn't always conquer evil.



Being able to analyze and understand theme can greatly help us in life even outside of school. In the matters of creating something (could be anything: a piece of artwork, short story, photograph) having a theme makes your work even more powerful, of course it is obvious to have a theme in your work if you are writing a story or creating a film. Including a theme into a piece of artwork or into a photograph or graphic design piece. This allows your work to be more impactful, meaningful and subject to discussion. Being able to analyze theme in film allows us to take more away from what we watch.