Lesson 3: Themes and Messages

📚 Literary Appreciation of Novels and Short Stories

🟦 Introduction
Have you ever finished a story and felt it taught you something—about life, society, or even yourself? That’s the power of theme. A theme is the central idea behind a story, and the message is what the writer wants you to think, feel, or question. In WASSCE, identifying and analyzing themes and messages shows your deep understanding of a text. In this lesson, we’ll unpack how to find them and explain them clearly in your answers.

🟩 Key Concepts and Explanations

1. What is a Theme?

A theme is the central idea or underlying issue explored in a story. It’s not the plot (what happens), but the deeper meaning or message behind those events.

✅ Example: In Animal Farm, the theme is the corruption of power.

Themes can be:

• Universal: Love, betrayal, freedom, justice, survival.

• Social/Cultural: Poverty, gender roles, education, colonialism, tradition vs. change.

2. Common Themes in WASSCE Prose Texts

• Power and Corruption – How those in power exploit others.

• Poverty and Inequality – The struggle of the poor in society.

• Family and Relationships – The bonds or tensions among relatives.

• Tradition vs. Modernity – Conflict between old customs and new ways.

• Justice and Injustice – Fairness or unfairness in the legal or social system.

• Identity and Self-Discovery – A character’s journey to understand who they are.

✅ Example: In Faceless by Amma Darko, themes include urban poverty, child neglect, and women’s empowerment.

3. What is a Message?

A message is what the writer wants the reader to learn or reflect on. It’s often linked to the theme, but more direct.

🔎 Theme: Corruption in leadership
📨 Message: Absolute power can lead to moral decay and suffering.

The message often comes out clearly in:

• The consequences characters face.

• The resolution of the plot.

• The author’s tone (sympathetic, critical, hopeful, etc.).

4. How to Identify Themes and Messages

🧭 Sample Walkthrough: Finding Theme and Message

Excerpt:
“After years of working for the company, she was fired without a word. As she packed her things, her eyes settled on the sign by the door: ‘Loyalty is our core value.’ She laughed bitterly.”

Step-by-step Analysis:

• Theme: Betrayal, workplace injustice.

• Message: Organizations may claim values they do not practice—loyalty is often one-sided.

• Tone: Bitter, ironic.

🟨 Practice Exercises

Exercise A: Identify Theme and Message

“Baba had always told his son to be honest. But when Baba was caught stealing from the community fund, his son refused to speak to him again.”

Questions:

1. What is the theme?

2. What is the message?

3. What kind of tone is the writer using?

✅ Answers:

1. Theme: Hypocrisy, disappointment, family trust.

2. Message: People who fail to practice what they preach risk losing the respect of those closest to them.

3. Tone: Critical, disillusioned.

Exercise B: Match the Themes

Match the example to the most likely theme:

✅ Answers:

• A – Gender Equality

• B – Betrayal

• C – Family Responsibility

• D – Corruption and Greed

🔁 Recap

Let’s summarize what you’ve learned:

• A theme is the central idea behind a story.

• A message is the lesson or comment the writer makes about that idea.

• Themes may be personal, social, political, or universal.

• To identify theme and message, pay attention to conflict, tone, character journeys, and recurring ideas.

🪞 Reflection Prompt

Think of a novel or short story you’ve studied in school.

• What was one major theme in the story?

• What message did the author communicate about that theme?

• Do you agree with that message? Why or why not?