Understanding Universal Theme Statements

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Universal Theme StatementDefinitionA universal theme statement is a phrase that describes how we present themes inclass. All parts of the phrase are relevant to our uses. It is universal, meaning thatanyone, regardless of any external differences, can relate to it (if you are human, itapplies to you in some way). Theme is a subject or topic brought up in a text which thatpiece goes into great detail about. These are often brought up and exemplified as thetext goes on. and are usually discovered upon the completion of a reading. Statementis a simple definition: it has to be a sentence. Thus, our full definition of a universaltheme statement is a topic or idea that is frequently and deliberately brought up in atext that applies to anyone reading it and presented in a full sentence.Theme is often confused with central idea, and the reason is logical. A central idea islike a theme in the sense that both are topics or ideas brought up by a text. However,that's where the central idea stops. It's just that: the idea that is central and importantin a text. It is frequently brought up and exemplified, explored through several scenes.These can often be generic concepts or idioms.So what's the difference? A central idea brings up a topic. The theme is what thespecific text has to say about it through the events that play out. The universal themestatement is presenting the theme in a full sentence that can then be related to by anyhuman being reading it.ExamplesExample I: A Good Man is Hard to FindIn the short story "A Good Man is Hard to Find", one of the central ideas is family. Thestory goes into detail through the many interactions the grandmother and her familymembers have . The idea of family is present in how the kids respond to things, as wellas through the grandmother's personality, priorities, and dialogue with familymembers/other characters. This is one of the central ideas of the text, and how it ispresented.

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Now, to turn this into a theme, figure out what "A Good Man is Hard to Find" has to sayabout family. The scenes mentioned above discuss how family is not a strong bond, asis often the case in movies or other stories, but merely a formality that can be glancedover in the pursuit of one's own ambitions and interests.Thekids are a reflection oftheir upbringing, so looking at their bombastic, selfish, macabre, rude, and generallyunlikeable attitude, as well as their constant need to resort to pestering and nuisance togain attention from the adults, we can safely assume they are often ignored or talkeddown to. Likewise, the grandmother gets on everyone s nerves, especially Bailey's, asshe is very opinionated, narcissistic, and self-serving.How can this apply to everyone reading? Family has always meant to be a safe havenfromthe real world. You see the picture of the mom, the dad, the kids playing, and lifeseems great. Many may have this life. However, this is not always the case. There aresome family members that have irreconcilable differences. Some families are broken.Someonlymeet for special occasions. Some show an interest only when it's necessaryor when something can be gained from the interaction. Some kids are spoiled, someare selfish, some are self-less.The concepts we figured outforthe theme are:*Families can be annoying*Road trips with family can drive people insane*Kids can be mean or rude*The older generation can be stuck in their ways*Some people won't listen*Families don't always look out for each other*Kids are a reflection of their parents*Family is a bondTurnthis into a sentence. This can be doneinseveral different ways. Here are someexamples:*Family is a bond, but sometimes in a heavy, negative, and inescapable way.*Kids pick up everything from their parents, even if they are often ignored.*Stickingtothe older way of doing things isn't always the best thing todo.*Family should mean more to you than yourself, or else you may just lose yourfamily.

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We have taken a central idea of a text and turned it into a theme and developed atheme statement.Let's try another.Example II: A Rose for EmilyA different central idea from "A Rose for Emily" is death. The subject is brought upthrough not only the death of Emily herself, but her father and her lover die as well. Wenever see things from her perspective as well, which means we have the town's POV toanalyze for this one.So how can this be related to? We have to look at the concept and see what the textsays about it. How people handle death is touched upon. Do people deserve deathand who is responsible forthat is brought up. Do all of the dead deserve respect?These are some ways to come at this particular central idea from a theme standpointLet s choose how people handle death, as that one everyone can relate to. Emilyhandles death with a naive disbelief, seeing someone's death as a reason they aretaken away from her. She defends this vehemently, trying in desperation to keep thebodies with her even after the person has expired. She has such a difficult timeaccepting they're gone, and this is something relatable. Seme other people, whenfamily members die, only see the money or possessions they will receive after. Thetown sees her death as a source of fascination, like when a celebrity dies - our societymourns them as their own. yet 99% of the people who mark that person's passingnever met the person or weren't a part of their daily lives. Celebrity, though crossessome borders emotionally with people, who feel as though they are a part of another'slife through the media presence and illusion of interaction through social media. Otherpeople may feel guilty after the death of a loved one, even if there was nothing theycould do to help.The statement takes one of those concepts and writes it out as a lesson. A few ofthese might be:*Death can be hard to accept for some people, with some never accepting it.*Death can be a source of interest, especially when a celebrity passes away.*When someone dies, some believe that person never really leaves you.

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