Analyzing Parts of a Thematic Whole
A novel is a combination of elements—plot, character, setting, and theme. Effective readers notice the connections among these elements and the ways they fit together to form a whole narrative.
The theme of a novel is its central idea or message. Plot, setting, and character all contribute to the development of a novel’s theme. Here are some examples of how the theme is developed in Little Women:
PLOT: The Civil War keeps Mr. March away from his family for a long time. The family becomes poorer. At one point, Mr. March is injured, and Mrs. March must leave her daughters and go to him.
DEVELOPMENT OF THEME: The girls must learn to do without many things that their friends have. The older girls must work for a living to aid the household. When their mother leaves, the girls must fend for themselves. All of these events add to the sisters’ maturity and strength.
SETTING: Jo changes settings from New England to New York City, and Amy changes settings from New England to Europe. In the process, they spend long periods of time away from home.
DEVELOPMENT OF THEME: Both Jo and Amy develop a level of independence when they are away. They find themselves able to apply the lessons that Marmee has taught them to their new situation, even as they are homesick and miss their family.
CHARACTER: Amy begins the novel as a spoiled little girl who finds poverty embarrassing and longs for a better life. She ends up as the “tender” character whom Laurie loves.
DEVELOPMENT OF THEME: Over time, Amy absorbs her mother’s lessons about kindness and caring, and she becomes a better person because of those lessons.