Name_________________________________ Date _____________

Themes in The Color of My Words

Permanent
Index

#7

Directions: Read through the following notes with your partner:

What youre working on today:
On the next page, you will think about The Color of My Words and the themes
that have emerged.
This classwork will help us prepare for our unit test on Thursday October 23
Notes on theme:
1. Theme is a broad idea in a story, or a message or lesson conveyed by an author
through a literary work.
2. This message is usually about life, society, or human nature.
3. Themes are usually hinted at rather than directly stated.
4. The theme of a piece of literature should not be confused with the subject of
the work, but rather, it is a general statement about life or human nature.
Most themes are not completely obvious and must be inferred by the reader.
The reader must take a good look at the characters, plot, setting, mood, even
the title, and how they work together, to understand and recognize the
reasons the author wrote this particular piece of literature.

Theme Topic #1: Strength of a Family (or Tension in a Family)

Directions Think about Ana Rosa and her relationship with one other family member.
I am choosing to focus on Ana Rosa and (choose one):
Guario

Angela

1. Towards the beginning of this story,

what is Ana Rosas relationship with this
character like? (Was it strong? Was there
tension?

Mami

Papi

2. Towards the end of this story, what is Ana

Rosas relationship with this character like? (Was
it strong? Was there tension?

3. In looking at your answers to 1 and 2, what did Ana Rosa learn throughout the story?

Theme Topic #2: Dreams and Goals

4. What do you think the authors message ALL PEOPLE (what can ALL PEOPLE LEARN,

not just one character)?

Theme: ____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Do you agree with this message? YES

NO

Why or why not? ______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Directions Think about one character and their dreams/goals.

I am choosing to focus on (choose one):
Ana Rosa

Guario

1. Towards the beginning of this story,

what was this character thinking or doing
about his/her goals?

Mami
2. Towards the end of this story, what was this
character thinking or doing about his/her goals?

3. In looking at your answers to 1 and 2, what did this character learn about dreams and goals
throughout the story?

Topic #3: Challenging/Breaking Traditions or Rules

4. What do you think the authors message ALL PEOPLE (what can ALL PEOPLE LEARN,

not just one character)?

Theme: ____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Do you agree with this message? YES

NO

Why or why not? ______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Directions Think about one character who challenged or broke the rules.
I am choosing to focus on (choose one):
Ana Rosa

Guario

1. Towards the beginning of this story,

what was this character thinking or doing
about tradition/rules?

2. Towards the end of this story, what was this

character thinking or doing about tradition/rules?

3. In looking at your answers to 1 and 2, what did this character learn about breaking the rules/tradition
throughout the story?

Name _____________________________________________ Date _______________________

4. What do you think the authors message ALL PEOPLE (what can ALL PEOPLE LEARN,

not just one character)?

Theme: ____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Do you agree with this message? YES

NO

Why or why not? ______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

Theme Through Image

Using the prior pages, write down what you believe is the most important, universal theme
from The Color of My Words: _____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Create an illustration/image that conveys this theme. Include details and color! Do not include
characters from TCOMW.

What details in the image are evidence for your theme? (List 3)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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