In our ELAR class, we've been talking about tone and mood. We've discussed that TONE is the writer's attitude toward the characters, subject, or events. We've also talked about how MOOD is how the reader feels when reading or listening to a story. We've continued talking about these two very important concepts this week. We've also introduced the concept of THEME, which is one of the most important literary terms you will learn this year. Remember--tone and mood help readers to identify theme.
I'm going to tell you about one of my favorite books and point out the tone, mood, and theme of that story before I ask you to answer the initial and sub-questions. I love the short story Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss. Many of you may know this story because you saw the movie that came out a while back. If you are not familiar with it, though, let me fill you in. First off, Horton is an elephant. He finds a speck of dust one day that contains a whole civilization of Who people. No one will believe Horton when he tells them that he hears the Who people. He endures lots of ridicule and teasing because he decides to help the Whos. Even still, Horton proves to be a hero when he perseveres and saves the day (and the Who folk)! The tone of this short story is very light-hearted and whimsical. It is told in rhymes, and it is quite silly, like most Dr. Seuss stories. The mood is playful, although there is one part that is a little heart-breaking (not too much, though). If you watch the movie or read the book, the tone and mood are evidenced by the bright colors and funny characters. Because I know what the tone and mood are, I am better able to interpret the theme. You must also note that you HAVE to be familiar with the plot of the story in order to determine theme, too. Think of your plot chant! So, the theme of Dr. Seuss's classic elephant tale has to do with making a difference. But that's not enough, is it? No! Theme is ALWAYS in the form of a complete sentence, telling how the author feels about the subject of the story. It answers the question What is the author trying to tell us? So, I ask the question: What is Dr. Seuss saying about making a difference? The answer gets me the theme: Anyone can make a difference by standing up for what they believe in. I believe this is one of the messages Dr. Seuss was trying to convey to us. Please also note that many books, stories, movies, or even songs can have more than one theme.
So here is the initial question: What is the theme of something you have recently read, heard, or watched? To answer the initial question, follow my thinking process with Horton Hears a Who and consider the following sub-questions: 1) What is going on in the story, song, or movie? 2) What is the tone? How do you know? 3) What is the mood? How do you know? 4) What is the subject? (Note: I asked what, not who. This distinction is important.) And don't forget to go back and explain the answer to the initial question!
Answer the initial question and sub-questions in 4 complete, thoughtful, and insightful sentences. Meet the requirements in order to get an optimal grade. We want 4s, not anything less!
Well Mrs. Kline I just read a book called The Riches of Oseala McCarthy,andthe theme is saving up can pay off to the community. Well what is goinngon in the story is Oseala is after working for her family washing clothes she saves 150,000 dollars to give to Universaty of Suthern Mississippi,because she could not go to schooll at all. The tone is calm because thereis no yelling. The mood would be HOPE because she tries to let other kids have a better life than she did. The subject is no matter how much you make in a life time you can always give back.
ReplyDeletea crew of humans crashlanded on a alien planet.the tone is hostile.the mood is a negetive mood.I know beacause a war is going on.the subjet is peace not war.
ReplyDeleteHe finds a dust partical and he loves it.He is in a good tone because he loves the flower very much.He is in a happy mood until he loses the flower and becomes upset.It is he want's to protect it.
ReplyDeleteI recently read the book Middle School Get Me Out Of Here by James Patterson which is about a middle school boy named Rafe Katchedorian trying to understand why his father let his family when he was young. The tone of this book is funny and entertaining because it's about a boy in middle school. The mood is panic and fear because Rafe never knows when and where the bullies were going to be after him and trouble always seems to find him. The subject of this book is about never giving up and keep on trying. So, the theme of this book has to be survival and how to overcome difficult situations.
ReplyDeleteThis theme comes from mean girl basically the movie comes from bullying.This one popular girl bullied this one girl well then at the end she ended up being on of the normal girls.
ReplyDeleteI recently read a book called joey pigza swallowed the key. It is just about the life of joey pigza. There is lots of different tones, but i think the most is either sad, or happy. There is no whole subject, there's lots of different things happening in the book.
ReplyDeleteThe thing thats in a story or a ovie is the theme and the trailer to start it off. The tone is the sound like a trailer for the movie. The mood is how the auther feels about what they wrote or made for a movie or a story. the subject is the setting like were every thing is or were someone is.
ReplyDeleteSomething I have recently watched was the movie Sinister. The movie had both a negative mood and tone. I knew this because it was very creepy, sadistic, and well, sinister. The theme was very frightening and evil.
ReplyDeleteWell the answer is I read a book called Percy Jackson the son if neptune. And what I thought the theme was to NEC we jugde other people because how they act or look because they may be a really cool person.
ReplyDeleteThe recent book I'v read is Eleven and what is going on is that rachel is at school when the teacher acuses her of wearing an ugly red sweater and says that she left it in the coatroom for 2 weeks and its not her sweater.The tone is upset because rachel is upset that the teacher layed the UGLY red sweater on her desk and I know because the sign at the end of every sentence and what words she uses.Rachels mood is a bad mood I know because the way she talks and acts.the subject is that Rachel turns ELEVEN and is getting treated awful on her B-day because a girl (supposably) forgot that it was hers.So my answer to the theme is that the theme is that some people get imbarrassed by clothing some family members buy them.
ReplyDeleteI have watched the movie, Ironman. The subject in this movie is, technology. I know this because of all the computers, guns and machines used in the movie. I think the mood of the movies story line is suspence, because they are all trying to figure things out and not sure what's going to happen next. The tone of the movie is fast pased, because they're all trying to get things done fast.
ReplyDeleteI have currently read the book "The Hunger Games" and the subject of the movie is (I think) never give up on friends. Because the main character Cattiness, made probably about three friends that she knew would later have to leave alone or kill. One of her friends dies and only one remains and the movie ends with her almost killing herself.
ReplyDeleteI recently watched some movie clips from Romeo and Juliet. What's happening in the story is Romeo and Juliet love each other. But their parents are keeping them apart, because they are on different sides. The mood of this story is sad and happy.
ReplyDeletewhat is happening, is a war between good and evil. i don't know what tone is. the mood is obviosly turmoil or hostile. the subject is war and conflict
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