Chapter XIV

Mini Lesson : What is NOT Theme

Previously we discussed the idea of theme as being a central concept that ties together a narrative, a driving idea about human nature.

It's important to distinguish that is not genre. "Suspense" is a genre. "Adventure" is a genre. These aren't the same a a theme, genre is a certain type of story.

It's important to distinguish that theme is not a moral. "Help Your Neighbors" or "Don't Talk to Strangers" are morals, but not themes. True themes are similar to a moral or message (as described earlier).

The difference is that a moral is more like a direction telling somebody a wise course of action, where a theme is more of universal statement about and idea or value.

To help understand the concept, consider the concept of a "Themelet" (created courtesy of a class discussion in 6th hour.)


"THEME-LETS"

Many people have wanted to use single word as a theme, and indeed they are partially correct in doing so. Words like "Faith," "Love," or "Fear" can be the root ideas of themes, or underdeveloped themes. However, these words by themselves don't make up a true "Thematic Statement" about what the author is saying universally about life.

In ATTWN, some of the correctly identified Themelets in your journals that have come up so far include:

Crime
Retribution
Punishment
Manipulation
Trust
Guilt
Revenge
Justice
Karma


Exploring "Themelets"

The challenge is to take one of these core ideas, and then attempt to expand them into a universal statement, asking yourself a questions like:

(NOTE: These are not journal questions. They are here just to get you thinking.)

Q: "Okay, so if Agatha wrote ATTWN about ________, what is she trying to say about ______?"

Q: "Where and how does _______ play out with different characters development and plot?"

Q: What is the opposite of ________? If so, is there evidence of that opposite in the story?"

Q: "What statement could tie several of the plot lines together under the idea of _________?"

Q: "Is there examples of the theme of _______ being demonstrated in a negative or opposite version of ______?



Okay. This was all pretty abstract and deep, so take it for what it's worth.


Okay, here we go...

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ASSIGNMENTS

Vocabulary Words:

astute (-ness)
ebonite
farce
sagacity
conjure

Journal Questions

1. THE ORDER OF THE DEATHS. Examine the order of who died. There is a definite pattern.

Part of Agatha Christie’s genius is how the order of the deaths seems to be based upon the severity of the crimes they committed. The victims who were deemed by the killer to be “less severe” were murdered first, and the victims who were deemed “more severe” were killed most recently.

Predict the future death order based upon the severity of the crimes of those four who are remaining alive, explaining in detail your reasoning. In other words, if the pattern holds, who should die next? Who should die last? Provide a justification for your order based upon how the crimes are growing increasingly severe. (four paragraphs, one for each character)


2. BLORE STARTS TO FEEL GUILT. In the beginning Blore barely remembered his alleged murder victim, Landor. Now he can recall every feature of his face and thinks about the man’s wife and daughter. What brought about this change? Would this change have happened if he hadn’t been in the situation he now finds himself? (one paragraph)


3. CASTING CALL. Sometimes it helps to imagine modern, popular actors playing the roles of characters in a book you are reading in order to get beyond just names on a page and to be able see the characters as people.

What actors would you cast for each of the ten, primary characters? Think about the character’s age, gender, personality, and previous roles, as well as the professions of each character.

For example, one student in class today suggested that Lombard could be George Clooney and some else saw him as Jonny Depp. (ten bullets)