Theme-tastic!

Over the year, one of my main goals is to have my sophomores leave my classroom with a firm grasp of what a theme is (a moral of the story or message from the author). To drive this point home on their last test for The Catcher in the Rye one of the short answers questions was this: Name the theme Salinger is trying to get across, why he thinks it is important, and whether you think that theme is still relevant today. Back in September I would have gotten a lot of answers that sounded like this "Salinger's theme is love because love is an important message and thing to remember in life. Love is important today, too, because people love each other a lot and they are happy." Now, in March, I laugh in the face of that answer (Ha!) as do my students. Check out the themes you all came up with. Incredible stuff:

* Be yourself because you'll never know the amazing people and good life you may lead if you don't.
* Do not be afraid of failure because there's always a way to get back up, or make your situation better.
* The only thing that matters is the present
* Never lose hope
* Money can't buy happiness
* Helping people is good
* Young people do not need to rush away from their innocence
* Just hang in there. Life is going to suck at times, it happens, but if you can ride it out you'll end up a wiser, better person.
* Never give into the pressures of society
* Never give up
* Only you can change your problems
* Everyone has to grow up some time
* Life is unfair and not completely perfect
* Find a purpose and go for it
* Everybody has hard times in their life, but they are what you learn from and they can make you stronger
* If you spend time dwelling on all the bad things your life is going to be miserable
* Fitting in isn't everything
* Don't hold on to your past because you can't change it
* Live life with no regrets
* You are not alone
* Everything happens for a reason
* Don't let your emotions get the best of you
* Hold on to what you have because you never know when it could be gone
* In order to become an adult, a child must go through rough times on their own
* Change is unchangable
* Rely on your friends and family and you will make it through anything
* You need to persevere even when things get tough
* Hold to what you believe in
* Life keeps moving and doesn't wait for you
* Don't be afraid to cope and move on with past struggles in your life
* Do not let society overpower your personality and take control of your life
* All people long for social companionship
*People need someone to talk to
* Be different in a world that tries to be the same

34 different themes total.

Me = Happy teacher :)