Comparing and Contrasting Theme. By Vanessa Miller

Transcription

1 Comparing and Contrasting Theme By Vanessa Miller

2 Learning Targets: I can define the word THEME. I can explain the idea of UNIVERSAL THEMES I can identify the themes of a work of art or a photograph, and cite evidence from the image that supports my analysis of the themes. I can identify the themes of a poem, and cite evidence from the poem that supports my analysis of the themes. I can compare and contrast the way in which a similar theme is presented in an image and a poem.

3 Theme Theme is the dominant idea or subject in a work of literature, art, film, etc. Basically, what is the big idea of the piece?

4 How to Identify a Theme Themes are not explicit (not clearly stated). Themes are implied. Themes are inferred. Themes are bigger than the story. Themes are NOT the same as morals

5 What is a Universal Theme? Some themes are SO COMMON and easily understood by the audience that they are called UNIVERSAL THEMES. They are themes that you see all the time in movies, books, TV shows, works of art, etc.

6 Examples of Universal Themes (this is not at all an exhaustive list) Acceptance Appearance vs. Reality Beauty Bravery Family Identity Love Loss of Innocence

7 Poverty What are Aging the THEMES in The Old Blue = Sadness, Depression Music Guitarist, by Picasso? How do you know? What is your evidence?

8 The Weary Blues BY LANGSDON HUGHES Droning a drowsy syncopated tune, Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon, I heard a Negro play. Down on Lenox Avenue the other night By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light He did a lazy sway.... He did a lazy sway.... To the tune o those Weary Blues. With his ebony hands on each ivory key He made that poor piano moan with melody. O Blues! Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool. Sweet Blues! Coming from a black man s soul. O Blues! In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan Ain t got nobody in all this world, Ain t got nobody but ma self. I s gwine to quit ma frownin And put ma troubles on the shelf. Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor. He played a few chords then he sang some more I got the Weary Blues And I can t be satisfied. Got the Weary Blues And can t be satisfied I ain t happy no mo And I wish that I had died. And far into the night he crooned that tune. The stars went out and so did the moon. The singer stopped playing and went to bed While the Weary Blues echoed through his head. He slept like a rock or a man that s dead. What are the THEMES of this poem? How do you know? What is your evidence?

9 Now Consider: How are the themes of The Old Guitarist by Picasso, and The Weary Blues by Langsdon Hughes similar? How are they different? Both the painting and the poem are about the power of music to comfort. Evidence: Both the old man in the painting and the blues player in the poem continue playing in spite of their circumstances. One primary difference is that Langsdon Hughes also incorporates the theme of race into his poem. As part of the Harlem Renaissance, the lives of blacks were an important theme in much of Hughes work.

10 YOUR TURN!!! What are the THEMES of the photograph? Of the poem? How Do you know? What is your evidence? How are the THEMES similar? How are they different? Nonconformist by Angela Shelf Medearis I don't want to be anybody but myself. So, I shaved little lines in my head and dyed my hair purple and green (with just a hint of orange) and pierced my nose and hung a gold earring in it, AS AN EXPRESSION OF WHO I AM (who am I?). Of course, I waited till someone else did it first. I didn't want anyone to think I'm weird. You know what I mean?

11 Learning Targets: I can explain define the word THEME. I can explain the idea of UNIVERSAL THEMES I can identify the themes of a work of art or a photograph, and cite evidence from the image that supports my analysis of the themes. I can identify the themes of a poem, and cite evidence from the poem that supports my analysis of the themes. I can compare and contrast the way in which a similar theme is presented in an image and a poem.

12 Sources Hughes, Langsdon. The Weary Blues. The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes, published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc Medearis, Angela Shelf. Nonconformist. Skin Deep, Picasso, Pablo. The Old Guitarist Stacking Dolls Photograph, Artist Unknown.