Unit Plan: Themes Are Central to the Text

Lesson 1: Themes & The Great Gatsby

Student Learning Objective:
Students will be able to analyze themes identified in class discussion and
successfully communicate the impact these themes have in the text and
how they contribute to layers of meaning.
WHAT ARE THEMES?
By definition, a theme in literature is a unifying idea, image, or motif, ______________ or
_______________ throughout a work.
In simpler terms, it is a __________________ in a work that carries meaning.
Topics
___________ are not themes! _________ are singular words like family and love.
The _________ makes a specific statement about the ___________ in an opinionated way.
________ can work in many different texts and can be expressed in the world we live in today.
List some common topics: ____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Topics VS. Themes
Draw the Venn Diagram and label it

FINDING THEME
Close Reading
The first step in uncovering theme is to do ________________________________.
While you are reading ask yourself, ___________ and ___________ questions.
For example, in The Great Gatsby why does Carraway mention the green light? What kind of
tone is he using? Is the green light a symbol? How does this reoccurring symbol tell us about
the theme? Etc
The green light could be a symbol of _____________________________________________,
which contributes to the American Dream theme.
What to look for
1. ____________________
2. ____________________
3. ____________________

FINDING THEMES IN THE GREAT GATSBY

Major theme in the book is the ________________________________________________
__

in the 1920s.
What is the American Dream?

What textual evidence is there to support this theme?

Quote 1.

Quote 2.

Quote 3.

CLASS ACTIVITY AND DISCUSSION

Make a list of topics you think are in the book:
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Pick one topic and turn it into an opinioned statement (theme).
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Provide at least 2 quotes with explanation to support the theme:
1. Quote

Explanation

2. Quote

Explanation

ANSWER THESE 3 QUESTIONS

1. Now that you understand theme and know how to locate it in a book, why is it important to
literature?

2. How do themes contribute to layers of meaning in a text?

3. How is theme important in understanding human nature and the world we live in?