Objective: The students will read 1/2 of a short story.
1. Get the greenish lit books from the back.
2. Quiz on MC Chapters 41-42
3. Chapter 4 Notes
4. Read 1/2 of story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ6lxTyT4uM
5. Read Monte Cristo Chapters 43-44 (10 pages) "A Conjugal Scene" and Matrimonial Plans"
Chapter 4 Notes
Theme and Figurative Language
What is theme? Theme is the main idea that is presented in the story. It is the statement about life that the author is trying to make.
What is a universal theme? A universal theme is a statement about life that applies to all people throughout time and place.
What is a personal theme? A personal theme is a statement about life that the author makes that applies specifically to his story and not necessarily to all people throughout time.
How do readers figure out a theme for a piece of literature?
a) Pay close attention to the main character. A major character will often change in a story and come to a new realization about life. This change is linked to the story’s theme.
b) Think about the title. It may give a hint to the theme of the story.
c) Think about the way the conflict was resolved. It will provide a clue.
Sometimes the author will come straight out and say the theme in the piece of lit.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Theme is NOT stated in one word. It is a complete statement (sentence).
What is the difference between a moral and a theme?
a) a theme is a STATEMENT about life.
b) a moral is a LESSON about life.
What is figurative language? Words or phrases describing one thing in terms of another. It is not meant to be taken literally.
a) What is an idiom? It is an expression that one society will understand, but others may not because it cannot be taken literally. Examples are such phrases as “I fell in love,” I worked my fingers to the bone.”
b) What is a simile? A simile is a comparison of two unlike things that uses the words “like, as, than or resembles.” Examples are “She smelled like a rose,” or “I am as hungry as a horse.”
c) What is a metaphor? A metaphor is another comparison of two unlike things that does not use like, as or than. It is a direct comparison. Examples are “She is the flower of my life,” or “he is a dog.”
Jargon: This is not figurative language, but we need to know it.
What is genre?
a) The category or type of writing a piece of literature is. There are five types:
1. nonfiction
2. fiction
3. poetry
4. drama
5. myth
What is the difference between fiction and non-fiction?
a) fiction has themes
b) non-fiction has a thesis (or main idea)
Important Note: Not all essays (like short stories) have a thesis directly stated. Sometimes you will have to read the essay and have to figure out the “main idea” or thesis. This is called an __________________.
What is the difference between a moral and a theme?
a) a theme is a STATEMENT about life.
b) a moral is a LESSON about life.
