Theme - Introduction (A4)

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Theme

Goals:

- I can explain what the term 'theme' means

- I can name the themes that are found in The Boy

Index

1. Definition 'Theme'
2. Example 'Theme'
3. The Boy In the Striped Pajamas

What is 'Theme'?

Example 'Theme'

• Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling:
  
  "My books are largely about death. They open with the death of Harry's parents. There is Voldemort's obsession with conquering death and his quest for immortality at any price, the goal of anyone with magic."
• The theme is: (conquering) death 

The Boy

• Take a look at the following quotes from various chapters.
• What 'theme' do you think is present in these quotes? Submit your answer/thoughts by using your phone. 
• We will discuss each quote, so be sure to take notes! 

“We don’t have the luxury of thinking,” said Mother. “…Some people make all the decisions for us.” (Ch. 2)

“Poland,” said Bruno thoughtfully, weighing up the word on his tongue. “That’s not as good as Germany, is it?”
Shmuel frowned. “Why isn’t it?” he asked.
“Well, because Germany is the greatest of all countries,” Bruno replied, remembering something that he had overheard Father discussing with Grandfather on any number of occasions. “We’re superior.”
(Ch. 10 - Bruno to Shmuel)

“Bruno, if you have any sense at all, you will stay quiet and concentrate on your schoolwork and do whatever your father tells you. We must all just keep ourselves safe until this is all over. That’s what I intend to do anyway. What more can we do than that after all? It’s not up to us to change things.”
(Ch. 6 - Maria to Bruno)

There were even whole rooms - such as Father's office, which was Out Of Bounds At All Times And No Exceptions - that he had barely been inside.
(Ch. 2)

To summarize...

The following themes are present in The Boy:

• Innocence and ignorance (onschuldigheid & onwetendheid) 
• Nationalism (nationalisme)
• Complicity (medeplichtigheid)
• Boundaries (grenzen)