Themes

How to identify, explore,

and expand on themes in
literature

Term 3 Week 1
 What is a Theme?
● What the author wants you to leave
the story thinking about
● Often a broader idea on life that
can be applied outside the text
● Usually not stated, it must be
inferred.

Why do we learn about Themes?

● Themes allow us to tap into other

people’s perspectives, and broaden
our understanding of society, the
species, and ourselves.
● This is essential to progressing
society and our maturation into
human beings.
Breaking down a theme…
THEMES
Main/big concepts that are
woven throughout the text:
EXAMPLES
➔ Logic (single word)
➔ ‘Logic and reason’, ‘the
infallibility of logic’
(inter-related words or
phrase)
➔ Trust versus emotion
(binary)
IDEAS
A perspective presented by the
text about a theme:
EXAMPLES
➔ Everything can be
explained by logic.
➔ Individuals can
understand the world
through logic.
➔ Emotions help explain
what logic cannot.
Extension
VALUES
Important beliefs, or principals
which help guide an individual's
sense of right and wrong.
EXAMPLES
➔ Christopher values logic
as it helps him to make
sense of a world ruled by
emotion.
Curious Incident Themes Brainstorm
 Here’s what I’ve found and
observed in Curious Incident
Curious Incident Themes

Logic vs emotion

Growing up and change

Truth, love and safety

Outside Perspectives

Grief, and coping with loss

Strategies for Unpacking a Theme

1 Define, look, connect

2 concept map

3 INTERROGATE EXAMPLES
STRATEGY 1: define, look, connect

LOOK
Find and explore CONNECT
DEFINE examples in the text After exploring the
Find out what the that relate to this examples you should
idea/concept means. theme. Outline what look for patterns. Here
Then link this meaning these examples tell us you also need solidify
to the text. about the plot or your ideas into
characters in relation to thematic statements.
the idea.
Strategy 2: concept map
Characters
Christopher values logic and uses this as
a his sole way of understanding the world.
However, in many instances this limits his
ability to understand the world and his
interactions fully. Also his inability to
manage negative emotions impacts his
relationships. He also likes Sherlock
Holmes because he uses logic to solve
mysteries.
Ed Boone reacts in a much more
emotional way which clashes with
Christopher.
Judy Boone’s inability to connect with
Christopher affected her emotionally.
Logic vs emotion
SIobhan aims to support Christopher in
understanding emotions.
Events
● Christopher determines a good day and a bad day through the
colour cars he sees.
● Ed’s emotional reaction to Judy leaving - she can’t speak to
Christopher and he tells Christopher his mum has died.
● Ed’s revelation that he killed Wellington
● Christopher’s use of deduction to determine where he will live when
he can’t live with dad anymore.
● He expresses most negative emotions by groaning or hitting people
→ eg hitting the police officer, groaning in the train station, barking
at passengers on the train.
Quotes
● “I got Siobhan to draw lots of these faces and then write down next to
them exactly what they meant. I kept the piece of paper in my pocket and
took it out when I didn't understand what someone was saying.” p. 3
● “And one way of things being in a nice order was to be logical” p. 31
● “He [your father] said I couldn’t come back. He was really angry.”
● “And I think that was when I realised you and your father were probably
better off if I wasn’t living in the house” p. 136
● “But, shit, Christopher, when that red mist comes down. . . Christ, you
know how it is.” p. 151
● “And then I thought that I could go and live with Mother because she was
my family” p.161
● “...the system didn’t work anymore” p. 250

Messages:
Symbols
Cars → Symbolise Christopher’s personal system of logic.
Sherlock Holmes → stands for Christopher’s personal values of logic and
mental detachment
Stars → Used by Christopher as a grounding device when he is challenged
emotionally. Help to bring perspective to his situation by distancing him.
STRATEGY 3: interrogate examples

Examples: Ideas: What is Mark Haddon trying to get us to

understand about individuals or society’s use of
logic and emotion to understand the world?
LOGI
1. Chapter 47: p. 31-32
2. Chapter 157: p. 133-136 C
3. Chapter 211: p. 216-217 VS
4. Chapter 233: p. 266 -268
(And I got the results of my EMO What messages, warnings,
Maths A level… to end) TION suggestions, lessons is Haddon
trying to communicate to us as readers?
Now… pick one of the themes you have identified and explore it
using the method of your choice.

Goal: Find the Values and Ideas within the Theme of your choice.