each other as stated by James Pickering H. and Jeffery D. Hoeper as they say in their book Concise Company of Literature, also said that “all parts of the piece of work should
contribute to develop, or relate to the theme in some way.”
22
Here are some ways to uncover the theme in a story: 1. Check out the title, sometimes it tells you a lot about the theme
2. Notice repeating patterns and symbols, sometimes these lead you to the theme
3. What allusion is made throughout the story? 4. What are the details and particulars in the story?
5. What greater meaning may they have?
23
It is needed to remember that theme, plot, and structure are inseparable. All are helping to inform and reflect back on each other. Also, it needs to be aware that a theme
determine from a story never completely explains the story. It is simply one of the elements that make up the whole.
24
C. The Ways the Author Deliver the Theme
There are two ways that are used by the authors in conveying theme. In “Concise
Companion to Literature” Pickering and Hoeper said that “the theme must be explicitly stated by one of the characters who serves as spokesman for the author or by the
author in the guise of an omniscient narrator.
25
However, they also said that people must
be aware of theme in a story because without considering other elements of a story, the
characters and narrators alone can be unreliable and misleading. On the other hand, according to theme, some themes are not stated, but those
are implied, revealed gradually through the treatment of characters and incidents and by
the progress and movement of a story. They also gave the reason for this,“ this is particularly true of works in which theme is tied to the revelation character andor what
22
James H. pickering and Jefeery D Hoeper, op. cit., p.19
23
http:www.learner.orgexhibitsliteraturereadtheme1.html Accessed on January 2008
24
Ibid
25
James Pickering and Hoeper, op.cit., p. 66
that character may imply about people or life in general.”
26
As it is supported by Robert and Warren that, “the theme is what is made of the topic. It is the content on the topic
that is implied in the process of the story.”
27
The theme may be explicitly stated by one of the characters who serve as a spokesman for the author or by the author in the guise of an omniscient narrator. Even
though such explicit statements must be taken seriously into account, a degree of caution is also necessary, for as it is known that characters and narrators alike can be
unreliable and misleading. In most cases, however, theme is not stated but implied by the work’s total rendering of experience; it is only gradually revealed through the
treatment of character and incident and by the progress and movement of the story. This is particularly true of works in which theme is tied to the revelation of character and takes
the form of a statement about that character andor what that character may imply about people or life in general.
Furthermore, in one story, there may more than one theme. This statement is
strengthened by X. J. Kennedy in his book, Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry
and Drama. He says that, “Great short story, like great symphonies frequently have more than one theme.”
28
For example, in a novel or a short story, they would be several themes. It depends on how the authors present their messages or ideas.
D. The Methods of Comparison
