Module 2 - Universal Themes in Literature

2/1/2014

Nature. Photo: Karla Erdman, Brookgreen Gardens, SC. 2013.

Siblings; Joshua and Karanda Erdman. Photo: Karla Erdman, Steel Stacks 2012.

Be sure to keep notes while watching the 24-minute Universal Themes in Literature video in VLN under Instructional Materials.

After watching the video, post an initial comment listing the 7 themes and 15 sub-themes mentioned in the video and briefly explain each one. Yes, all of your responses should be the similar, but you won't see them until I release the comments ;)

Then, once the comments are released on Tuesday evening, you will go back in and post a reply on one (1) student's entry. In your reply, you will give one example of a piece of literature, short story, poem, song, movie, etc. for EACH Universal Theme. The example you provide does NOT have to be from the video.

Note: Be careful with taking notes. In order to earn full credit, you will need to be correct in your list of themes/sub-themes and explanations.

17 Comments

Alyssa Saggio

2/4/2014 06:16:35 am

In literature, there are known to be dozens, even hundreds of great themes dated back to pieces in some of the world’s earliest literature. While there may be considered hundreds of themes, they can be broken down into seven overall themes, with fifteen sub-themes. The seven overall themes are as follows:
1. Individuals as Heroes: They show the world how to behave.
a. Heroes of a Legend (Heroic Qualities are key points)
b. Heroes of Everyday Life (People in everyday life can be heroes)
2. Individual and the Cosmos: All cultures have rich and colorful accounts for how the
and its people came into existence and how those people are situated in the universe.
(Find your place in the universe, or face death)
a. Place in the Universe
b. Death
3. Individual and Nature: Nature is often times written about as a positive life giving force.
a. Nature as the Teacher
b. Cold, Impersonal World
4. Individual and Society: Often times, individuals and society have conflict with one
another. If an individual commits a crime, they may be punished. This is common in
literary works.
a. Crime and Punishment
b. Oppression- Right to Rebel (Even after the civil war, African Americans were not viewed as equal in the U.S.) (Women are still not completely treated as
equally as men)
c. War
5. Individual and Family: All generations focus on the individual’s place in a family.
a. Siblings (Rivalry between brother and sisters are very common)
b. Parents (They often interfere with their child’s lifestyle choices)
6. Individual and Individual: Often times, these are conflicts between two specific people.
a. Love
b. Rivalry
7. Individual and Self: This is considered the most universal theme in all literature, like
exploring the theme of madness or embracing your own self doubt.
a. Madness
b. Self Doubt

Brian

2/6/2014 11:07:03 am

By far the best post. I didn't understand it but now I do. I commend your work, Alyssa.

Mrs. Erdman

2/7/2014 12:55:09 am

Brian,
Thank you for your post. I'm glad that someone else's post helped you to understand the different themes that are present in works of literature, as well as in films, movies, etc.

Cole

2/7/2014 11:08:51 am

I agree with what Brian said. You did a very good job explaining what was said in the video. You also set it up so that it was very easy to follow and understand. I like how you put examples of some of the topics as well.

Cole

2/4/2014 06:19:13 am

Individual as Hero:
Heroes of Legend- Odysias is one of the earliest heroes in classic western literature. He was a character in "The Odyssey" written in 800BC. The typical traits of a hero are strong, brave, and resourceful. Other early heroes include Anyas, Shaka.
Heroic in Everyday Life- one does't have to be a warrior to be a hero, they just have to show those traits.
Conflict:
Individual & Self- most universal theme in all of literature, often revolving around self doubt. At most extreme, it comes as madness.
Individual & Family- focuses on an individual in his family, either in a relationship with a sibling or parents, often living by parents expectations.
Individual & Individual- focuses on 2 individuals who must live together, resolve a dispute, or even with love.
Individual & Society- deals with crime, oppression, and war. Common through outlet literature. Also the oppression of an individual. The right to rebel against an unfair circumstance is a common theme in literature of oppressed. Also the right to rebellion(war) is common. In early writing, it's common to show war in a positive light, while other writers focus on the darker side of war, like the senselessness of killing, the fear of death, or the horror of combat.
Individual & Nature- Nature is often used as a positive life giving force(teacher), but it could also present as a cold, impersonal world.
Individual & Cosmos- Individual & the universe and death are very common. They must come to terms with cosmos. They must understand their place in the universe, the possibility of supernatural, and their own death.

Alyson Picione

2/7/2014 09:56:46 am

Heros of Legend- The Odyssey
The heroic in everyday life- The Penny Box
Self Doubt- Tell tale heart
Rivalry- Romeo and Juliet
Love- Othello
Parents- Romeo and Juliet
Siblings- The Little Foxes
Crime and Punishment- The Crucible
Opression- The Invisible Man
War- Geoffry Chancer
Nature as teacher- Harry David Therou
Cold and Impersonal world- To Build a Fire
Place in Universe- Bible
Possibility of Supernatural- The Crucible
Death- Emily Dickinson

Kasey Gallagher

2/4/2014 06:27:20 am

*The individual as hero- People look for modern heroes and heroes of fiction

Heroes of legend- Heroes of legend are found in stories like Odyssey. Characteristics of heroes of legend are strong, brave, and resourceful
The heroic every day life- Stories about how ordinary people can have characteristics of heroes

*Individual & cosmos- How the earth was created and how we came to our place in the universe

Place in the universe- Stories of creation
Death- People avoid thinking about death, or try to

*Individual & nature- Nature is a positive life giving force

Nature as teacher- Thoreau used nature to find a new perspective

*Individual & society: crime, punishment, oppression

Crime&punishment- When individuals break the law they have committed a crime and may be punished. Common theme in literature throughout the world
Oppression- Individuals can violate the laws of society but society can also infringe on the rights of the individual. Also common throughout the world.

*Individual & society: war - Right to rebellion

War- Has been at the center of fiction since the very beginning. In early stories it was common to show war as a good thing. Some writers have focused on the bad parts of war (senselessness of killing, fear of death, horror of combat) associated with modern war

*Individual & family -- individual & individual: Individuals place in the family

Siblings- Writers explore the rivalry that can take place between individual and siblings
Parents- Ex: Romeo and Juliet. Their parents fighting keeps them apart.
Love- Relates individual to individual, especially forbidden love
Rivalry- Relates individual to individual

*Individual & self- Most universal theme in literature.

Madness- At its most extreme it takes the form of madness.
Doubt- More common. The most often quoted lines of literature are spoken by a young individual who are filled with self doubt, "To be, or not to be"

Devin Blattner

2/6/2014 12:45:10 pm

Individual as a Hero: Sully from Monsters Inc.
Individual and cosmos: Old Indian legends
Individual and Nature: Cast Away (Movie)
Individual and Society: Rosa Parks- bus incident
Individual and War: Tank Man (Tienanmen Square)
Individual and Family: Romeo and Juliet
Individual and Self: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Alyson Picione

2/4/2014 06:31:37 am

*The individual as a hero
-Heros of legend- explanation for the unknown
- The heroic in everyday life-show how to act and the traits valued in a certain culture
*Individual and self
-self doubt-madness
*Individual and individual-learn to live together
-Rivalry-disputes
-Love- feelings towards others
*Individual and family- place in family
-Parents- live up to their expectations
-Siblings- rivalry
*Individual and society-place in society
-Crime and punishment-break laws and need punishment
-Opression- infringe on rights of individual
-War- right to rebellion
*Individual and nature- natural world
-Nature as teacher- life force
-Cold and impersonal world- nature is completely indifferent about what happens to us.
*Individual and the cosmos
-Place in the universe- story of creation
-Possibility of the supernatural- explanation of unexplained
-Death-what happens to us after death

Alyssa Saggio

2/6/2014 12:42:23 pm

1. Heroism
-Heroes of legend
Example: "Spiderman" (movie)
-Heroes in everyday life
Example: Atticus from "To Kill a Mockingbird" (written by Harper Lee)
2. Individual and Self
-Self Doubt
Example: "Hamlet" written by William Shakespeare
-Madness
Example: "The Cask of Amontillado" written by Edgar Allan Poe
3. Individual and Individual
-Rivalry
Example: "Toy Story" represents the rivalry between "Woody" and "Buzz" over who the better toy is
-Disputes (Love?)
Example: 'Romeo and Juliet" written by William Shakespeare
4. Individual and Family
-Siblings
Example: "Cheaper by the Dozen" (movie)
-Parents
Example: "The Glass Castle" written by Jeanette Walls
5. Individual and Society
-Crime and Punishment
Example 1: "19 Minutes" written by Jodi Picoult
Example 2: "In Cold Blood" written by Truman Capote
-Oppression
Example: "The Blind Side"
-War
Example: "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" written by John Boyne
6. Individual and Nature
-Nature as Teacher
Example: "Nothing Gold Can Stay" written by Robert Frost
-Cold and Impersonal World
Example: "Snow Dogs" (Movie)
7. Individual and the Cosmos
-Place in the Universe
Example: Account of the Bible: Genesis "Adam and Eve"
-Death
Example: "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" written by Emily Dickinson

Mrs. Erdman

2/7/2014 12:56:59 am

Alyssa,
You have some great examples. You go above and beyond in your postings, which help others to grasp misunderstood concepts.

Devin Blattner

2/4/2014 09:02:12 am

*The Individual as a Hero: Individuals who are modern heroes and heroes of fiction
- Heroes as Legend:Heroes of legend are found in stories such as 'Odyssey'. Heroes of legend are brave, strong and resourceful.
- The Heroic in Everyday Life: Regular/ordinary people have hero-like characteristics.

*Individual and Cosmos: How the earth was created and how humans exist.
-Place in the universe: Stories of creation or existence
-Death: Stories about death, people try to avoid talking about it

*Individual and Nature: Nature is a positive life giving force
-Nature as teacher: Using different nature concepts to make people discover different ideas such as Thoreau using nature to find a new perspective

*Individual and Society: crime, punishment, oppression.
-Crime&punishment: When characters break the law, they have committed a crime and may possibly be punished. This is a common theme in literature
-Oppression: Characters can violate the laws of society but society can also infringe on the rights of the individual.

*Individual and Family: individual & individual: Individuals place in the family
-Siblings: Writers explore the rivalry that can take place between siblings and the individual
-Parents: Can play a supportive or non-supportive role
-Love: Relates individual to individual, especially forbidden love (Example..Romeo and Juliet)
-Rivalry: Relates individual to individual such as when in competition with each other

*Individual and Self: Most universal theme in literature
-Madness: Most extreme case takes the form of madness

-Doubt: "To be, or not to be" That's the most often quoted line of literature is spoken by an individual who is filled with self doubt. More common than madness.

Kasey Gallagher

2/6/2014 10:49:52 am

Individual as a hero- Zero Dark Thirty
Individual and cosmos- The War of the Worlds
Individual and nature- Hatchet
Individual and society(C,P,O)- 12 Years a Slave
Individual and society(war)- A Separate Peace
Individual and family- Grapes of Wrath
Individual and self- Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

Tori McCaslin

2/7/2014 03:17:21 pm

The Individual as a Hero:
Example- Batman movies (any super hero movie really)
Example- Atticus (To Kill a Mockingbird)
Example: Mount Olympus or White House Down(both movies)
The Individual and the Cosmos: a place in the universe
Example: the Bible
Example: 12 Years a Slave(movie)
The Individual and Nature:
Example: The Perfect Storm(book or movie)
The Individual and Society:
Example: The Blind Side
The Individual and the Family:
Example: Yours Mine and Ours(Movie)
Example: Meet the Parents
The Individual and the Individual:
Example: Romeo and Juliet
Example: Lord of the Flies
Example: Captain Phillips(movie)
The Individual and Self:
Example: Oedipus, Hamlet

Brian Burke

2/4/2014 09:24:34 am

Conflict is the most important part of most stories. A story’s theme can based off the conflict of the story. There are many different types. First type of conflict is individual & self which can be in the form of self doubt. Another is Individual & Individual. That deals with a conflict concerning two people. Individual & family deals with one fitting in or resolving an issue regarding family. Individual & society may deal with a person with an issue that society may object of not understand. Individual & Nature can deal with a person and natural problems that occur in the real world. Lastly there is individual & cosmos which can be a person struggling to find their place in the universe.
Individual as leader. I wasn’t sure if this was one of the 7 main themes.
As for the 15 sub themes. It was not clear so I have left that out.

Mrs. Erdman

2/7/2014 12:59:35 am

Brian,
Sometimes when watching a video, you will need to pause and replay as necessary in order to gather the information. That is the great thing about online learning--you can continue to go back as needed to understand a concept.
The video had a lot of information and viewing it more than one time was necessary in order to take notes and gather all of the information.
Remember, you can communicate with your classmates as well when you are unclear about how to go about an assignment.

Tori McCaslin

2/6/2014 03:17:54 am

Theme 1: The individual as a hero
-People want more modern heroes and someone to show them how to behave
a- Heroes of a Legend(key qualities)
b- Heroes of everyday life(anyone can be a hero)
Theme 2: The individual and the Cosmos
How everything in life cam about and who created them
a- Place in the Universe(discusses creation)
b- Death(people try to avoid death)
Theme 3: The individual and Nature
Thought about as a positive life force
a- Nature as a teacher(can offer new ideas or perspectives)
b- A cold world
Theme 4: The Individual and Society
Both can conflict with one another/ crime and punishment
a- Crime and Punishment(If anyone breaks the law or commits a crime, they need to answer for what they did and take responsibility for their actions/common throughout the world)
b- Oppression(racism, women’s rights/ not everyone is treated equally)
c- war(is very present in fiction)
Theme 5: The Individual and the Family
- Family is a very important factor in life and finding your place in the family
a- siblings(brother/sister rivalry)
b-Parents(When parents fight, it keeps them apart/Romeo and Juliet)
Theme 6: The Individual and the Individual
- Conflicts between two certain people
a- Love(between two people, forbidden love)
b- Rivalry(between two people mostly)
Theme 7: The Individual and Self
Considered the most Universal Theme in Literature****
a- Madness
b- Self Doubt(young individuals who aren’t sure whether or not to do something)  “To Be or not To Be”

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Module 2 - Universal Themes in Literature

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