Theme:
In fiction, the theme is not intended to teach or preach. In fact, it is not presented directly at all. You extract it from the characters, action, and setting that make up the story. In other words, you must figure out the theme yourself.
The writer's task is to communicate on a common ground with the reader. Although the particulars of your experience may be different from the details of the story, the general underlying truths behind the story may be just the connection that both you and the writer are seeking.
- In reading We, the Drowned: themes are not presented directly, and must be interpreted through comprehension of characters, action, and setting of story. So, to better understand the "view about life and how people behave" that the novel gives us, we have to do the following dirty work:
While (re)Reading for theme | For class discussion:
- Highlight and comment on repeated actions, language, imagery.
- Note down character views of life and also how their lives turn out.
- What tone does narration take? This gives insight into how to take the story's action. Look for sentences in the story that seem like the narrator's commentary.
Sketch Outlining a Repeated Theme:
For supporting your interpretation, you would need to do the following:
1. Outline three major actions that the boys take against Marstal. For each, what results from their actions? Pull out a few quotes for each action that helps you understand what's going on more.
2. Outline Hans' character. Include: what does he say about life after Isager? What does that tell you about life?
3. Outline Lorentz' character. Include: how does he change, and what does that mean?
4. Outline Albert's character:
- How does he look to solve problems? To get to a more specific answer, outline a major action and/or response of his over the last three chapters read:
- "The Thrasing Rope" =
- "Justice"=
- "The Voyage"=
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