Tuesday 5/29/12

Chapter VIII

Journal Questions:

1. MACARTHUR AT THE BEACH. At the beach MacArthur has a very different perspective about the current situation than Vera does. How does he see their situation? Pick a line of dialogue that MacArthur speaks that captures his thoughts on what is going on. There is one particular line that is very chilling -- see if you can find it. You only need to pick one.  Why do you think he feels this way? What in his past or in his life might motivate him to have this outlook?

2.  FINDING THE THEME

A)     Copy down the definition for the literary term "Theme" in your Language Arts textbook (The Language of Literature) on page R164.

Theme is often revealed through profound, universal statements made in dialog.

Theme is best demonstrated  through the actions and consequences of the characters.

Theme more often than not focuses on the meaningful choices that characters make despite their circumstances.

B)  Based upon this definition, come up with at least four different, possible themes of our novel so far?  Focus on the overall story.

C)    Now, choose what you think is the strongest theme for And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie and explain your thinking.  

     How is this theme demonstrated in character decisions, actions, or dialog?  

     For help, go back to the definition above and recheck if your four themes really can be considered to be "themes."

      Be an original thinker.  Don’t look online for “the answer.”  Instead, use your OWN thinking and perspective.