Theme is the central idea or message an author expresses in a work of fiction, poetry, or drama. Sometimes an author explicitly states a theme. For example, the theme of most fables is stated at the end of the text as a moral.
More often, though, themes grow and develop over the course of a text, and they are not directly stated at all. In this case, you will have to infer the theme. When readers try to infer the theme of a story, novel, poem, or play, they usually ask themselves: What is this text really about? Often, though, readers confuse the subject (or topic) of a text (what the text is about) with the text’s theme. A topic can usually be summed up in a word or two, while a theme is stated in a sentence. For example, the topic of Aesop’s fable, “The Tortoise and the Hare,†is a road race. But the theme is “Perseverance is more important than speed.â€
In order to infer the theme of a text, you’ll need to look closely at the textual evidence. You’ll have to look closely at the structure and all the elements of the story.
Now, turning to analyzing a theme relevant to the upcoming analysis essay assignment, please read this journal article titled, Trauma Theory: No “Separate Peace†for Ernest Hemingway’s “Hard-Boiled†Characters. Take notes as you read the article, focusing on Hemingway’s message about war. It will be important for you to separate the romance aspect from Hemingway’s message about war in “A Farewell to Arms” in the analysis essay assignment you will do next.
Frederic Henry’s perspective and attitude about war changes drastically in this story by Hemingway. How and why does Henry’s change happen? Write a reflective essay in which you explain Henry’s change in thinking about war and connect this to a personal experience where you underwent a significant change of perspective, how and why this change happened, and how this benefited your life. The essay’s thesis statement and body contents should refer to A Farewell to Arms and clearly state the connection. The conclusion should refer back to A Farewell to Arms too.
Note: Henry’s change in perspective about war has nothing to do with Catherine or romance!
Thesis statement: Your introduction’s thesis statement must include story title and author (A Farewell to Arms by Hemingway), the controlling ideas of Henry’s change and your change, and why this is important. Do not use announcements such as “In this essay…”.
The essay should be 1 typed page in length and include essay structure with an introduction, body and conclusion paragraphs. Proofread and edit carefully for correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Your paper should not contain more than 20% of quotes from outside sources.
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