Understanding "theme"
through literary devices
frankenstein : chapters 11-21
identifying the topic/subject (there could be just one,
writing can often be in understanding the theme
c (there could be just one, or there could be several) of a particular piece of
1 understanding the theme. the topic/subject is the general idea that the
characters, events, locations, or situations in a story are centered around (reler
what is meant by theme'' handout for more information),
is in a story are centered around (refer to the "understanding
e handout for more information). for example, a christmas carol by charles
dickens focuses on the subject of reed. once a subiect(s) of a literary works
eed. once a subject(s) of a literary work is understood, the next step
is to ask yourself what a reasonable statement about this subject is what is a locus
about staying with the previous example from dickens' a chr
statement about this subject is (what is a focus, idea, or message
"what is an idea or message in the text that can be reasonably
e previous example from dickens' a christmas carol, you should ask yourself,
ed or message in the text that can be reasonably claimed about the subject of greed
looking at literary devices in the story such as the characterization of son
ces in the story such as the characterization of scrooge, various symbols, and the
epiphany that occurs toward the end of the novella, the reader ca
vucurs toward the end of the novella, the reader can reasonably claim that one possible
theme is that wealth does not lead to genuine, lasting happiness
earth does not lead to genuine, lasting happiness but being a compassionate and forgiving
person does.
your task is now to apply this understanding of how to approach a theme in a literary
work to frankenstein by mary shelley.
1. thinking back over chapter 17-chapter 21 , create a list of as many different subjects that
are evident in this section as you can.
2. once this is done, select one of them that you consider to be the most relevant/best subjects
(one that you feel covers the most area and gives you the most to work with).
3. now, for the subject, identify a main focus, message, or idea about it. in other words, what is
the message, idea, or issue about the subject that you reasonably think is emphasized within
the text?
4. once the subject(s) and theme(s) have been completed, identify a few literary devices that
you noticed throughout this section of the novel. specifically, try to limit your devices to the
following ones: symbolism , simile., metaphor, personification , imagery, internal conflict,
diction (that aids in understanding related to a character, event, symbol, or idea), external conflict,
epiphany, direct characterization , indirect characterization , foil character.
5. as the final step, for the selected subject that you used to reveal a theme/focus (and
supported with literary devices), write a paragraph of 5-10 sentences explaining how one of
the literary devices to make the
theme/focus more clear/obvious in this portion of the novel. the first sentence should identify
the text (and possibly the section of the novel), the literary device, and the central idea/focus

Dream variations by langston hughes analysisand “the tropics in new york” by claude mckay both depict a longing for another place. what are the places and what do they represent?

Can i get it's due read the poem below, and then answer the questions that follow. the courage that my mother had by edna st. vincent millay the courage that my mother had went with her, and is with her still: rock from new england quarried; now granite in a granite hill. the golden brooch my mother wore she left behind for me to wear; i have no thing i treasure more: yet, it is something i could spare. oh, if instead she'd left to me the thing she took into the grave! - that courage like a rock, which she has no more need of, and i have. the metaphor in lines 3-4 suggest what about the mother? question 1 options: that the speaker's mother was a big, tough woman that the speaker's mother died before she should have that the speaker's mother did not leave anything to her child when she passed away that the speaker's mother was strong and brave < this is what i think the answer is. the courage that my mother had by edna st. vincent millay the courage that my mother had went with her, and is with her still: rock from new england quarried; now granite in a granite hill. the golden brooch my mother wore she left behind for me to wear; i have no thing i treasure more: yet, it is something i could spare. oh, if instead she'd left to me the thing she took into the grave! - that courage like a rock, which she has no more need of, and i have. based on the 2nd stanza, how does the speaker feel about the golden brooch that was passed down from the mother to child? question 2 options: the speaker thinks it was a waste of money the speaker places a high value on the item the speaker never wears the brooch the speaker feels it could be easily replaced the courage that my mother had by edna st. vincent millay the courage that my mother had went with her, and is with her still: rock from new england quarried; now granite in a granite hill. the golden brooch my mother wore she left behind for me to wear; i have no thing i treasure more: yet, it is something i could spare. oh, if instead she'd left to me the thing she took into the grave! - that courage like a rock, which she has no more need of, and i have. which line from stanza 2 supports the answer the the previous question? (how does the speaker feel about the brooch the mother passed down to child? ) question 3 options: the golden brooch my mother wore she left behind for me to wear; i have no thing i treasure more yet, it is something i could spare. the courage that my mother had by edna st. vincent millay the courage that my mother had went with her, and is with her still: rock from new england quarried; now granite in a granite hill. the golden brooch my mother wore she left behind for me to wear; i have no thing i treasure more: yet, it is something i could spare. oh, if instead she'd left to me the thing she took into the grave! - that courage like a rock, which she has no more need of, and i have. which item does the speaker admire and value the most that the mother possessed? question 4 options: courage a rock golden brooch granite the courage that my mother had by edna st. vincent millay the courage that my mother had went with her, and is with her still: rock from new england quarried; now granite in a granite hill. the golden brooch my mother wore she left behind for me to wear; i have no thing i treasure more: yet, it is something i could spare. oh, if instead she'd left to me the thing she took into the grave! - that courage like a rock, which she has no more need of, and i have. what is the theme of this poem? question 5 options: be careful what you wish for. some people do not get a good inheritance from their parents familial love is the most valuable thing honorable qualities can be more valuable than expensive items.

In this excerpt from "a modest proposal" by jonathan swift, which important issue does the writer deal with using a satirical tone? some persons of a desponding spirit are in great concern about that vast number of poor people, who are aged, diseased, or maimed; and i have been desired to employ my thoughts what course may be taken, to ease the nation of so grievous an incumbrance. but i am not in the least pain upon that matter, because it is very well known, that they are every day dying, and rotting, by cold and famine, and filth, and vermin, as fast as can be reasonably expected. and as to the young labourers, they are now in almost as hopeful a condition. they cannot get work, and consequently pine away from want of nourishment, to a degree, that if at any time they are accidentally hired to common labour, they have not strength to perform it, and thus the country and themselves are happily delivered from the evils to come. a. old, sickly people cannot be hired as laborers because they don't have the physical stamina required for the job. b. old, sickly people and young laborers are useless to the nation because they cannot be productive citizens. c. the economy of the nation is burdened by the poor, the old, and the sickly who survive on charity and handouts. d. the living conditions of the poor and their lack of employment opportunities are serious concerns for the nation. reset next