How to Identify the Theme of a Poem

Most of the literature works be it a poem, stories are built upon a specific objective to provide an information or message to the audience. These messages may be either universal truth or may be related to cultural observations, human behavior, etc. Pretty often the message which we refer here as “theme” that the writer wants to convey is visible explicitly and at other times the message is conveyed implicitly. Our job becomes a challenge to identify the theme if it is implicit. To identify the theme in such cases let us follow the below steps:

•    The first and foremost step is to analyze by reading carefully and making observations, which can be agreed upon by others. These observations are third person accounts in nature which speaks of what is being done by whom in the poem. Also, this gives an idea of where and when he is doing the action. You will find some repetitive words being used pretty often in the poem, which might symbolize that writer, is trying to express something by putting stress on those repetitive words.

•    The next thing is to connect all the pieces together and it will definitely give a clear picture of what is being said or the theme of the poem. Since we have the subject, we can decipher the actions taken by subject under some circumstances. Yes to some extent we might have to be imaginary or logically visualize the story being depicted to connect the dots and finally arrive at the theme of the poem.

•    One more key to successfully identify the theme is to read the poem repeatedly, slowly, repeatedly as each reading will give an extra dimension to your imagination on the context. Remember that a poem may not always have a single theme. They are mostly used to share a feeling or experience or an idea which can be multidimensional too.

Tips for Writing Satire and Give Some Examples

A satire is a piece of writing that is used humorously to make fun of either an individual or a society. Through satire, a writer exposes the fault or the stupidity of a person or a society. It is a technique used by the writer to criticize the corruption, dishonesty or foolishness of a particular society or an individual. By criticizing the society or an individual, an author strives to improve their shortcomings or foible. In a satire, fictional characters are used to indicate the real people who are responsible for some kind of corruption.

A writer shows the silliness or corruption in people, organization, politics or society by using sarcasm or irony. Through satirical writing, an author not only point out the foolishness of a specific group of people, but also bring social or political changes. Satire in writing can be achieved by using sarcasm, exaggeration or irony. Let us see how you can write a good satire with the help of useful tips.

•    When writing a satire, it is ideal to choose a known person or someone who is a big personality or celebrity. Write general things like their behavior, habits, the way they dress or the comment they made on something or someone.

•    You can also write about the politicians who make fake promises or make blunders in their speeches.

•    You can also choose some unusual or bizarre facts, but make sure that you do a thorough research so as to validate your points.

•    You can also write religious satire that mainly point out different religious beliefs.

•    You can also choose a topic of a real life situation and showcase the faults and foible.

Examples:

•    The political cartoons in newspapers and magazines are examples of satire.
•    The movie, like The Great Dictator (1940) and the moves of Austin Powers are also examples of satire.
•    ‘The Rape of the Lock’ is an example of poetic satire.
•    ‘Weekend update from’ Saturday night live is also a satire.
•    In English literature, Jonathan Swift’s ‘Gulliver Travels’ is one of the finest satirical works.   

Conjunction – Solve Multiple Choice Questions or Quiz or Test

Choose the most suitable answer that identifies the conjunction in the sentence.

Q 1. Emma fell asleep, _______Jack went home.

a) And
b) So
c) Then
d) But

Answer - So

Q 2.  Please bring some snacks _______ sweets.

a) Or
b) For
c) And
d) So

Answer - And

Q 3.  I did not want to go to the movie _______I had already seen it.

a) But
b) For
c) So
d) Because

Answer – Because

Q 4. James wants to play basketball, ________he can not throw the ball properly.

a) But
b) So
c) And
d) Or

Answer - But

Q 5. Would you rather go for movie _______to the party?

a) But
b) Or
c) And
d) For

Answer – Or

Q 6. Keep your slice of pizza covered ________the flies will contaminate it.

a) Until
b) Though
c) Because
d) Or

Answer- Or

Q 7. The college authority rejected the application ________they did not think that the candidate deserves to get admission.

a) Though
b) Because
c) Or
d) But

Answer - Because

Q 8. Linda wants both a diamond ring ______a bracelet for her birthday.

a) Or
b) And
c) But
d) Because

Answer – And

Q 9. I would go to bed now _______my assignment is not done.

a) Because
b) Or
c) Until
d) But

Answer - But

Q 10. She is tired, ______she is working.

a) So
b) Or
c) And
d) Yet

Answer – Yet

Direct and Indirect Speech - Multiple Choice Questions/Quiz or Test

Choose the most suitable answer that identifies the direct or indirect speech in the sentence.

Q 1. Shopkeeper, “Are you looking for designer clothes?”

a) The shopkeeper told if I am looking for designer clothes.
b) The shopkeeper asked if I was looking for designer clothes.
c) The shopkeeper said if I was looking for designer clothes.

Answer- The shopkeeper asked if I was looking for designer clothes.

Q 2. Merry said, “I may need some money.”

a) Merry said that she needs some money.
b) Merry told that she may need some money.
c) Merry said that she might need some money.

Answer c- Merry said that she might need some money.

Q 3. Sherry, “I play tennis every day.”

a) Sherry said she played tennis every day.
b) Sherry told that she play tennis every day.
c) Sherry said that she play tennis every day.

Answer a- Sherry said she played tennis every day.

Q 4. The teacher said to students, “Do not make a noise.”

a) The teacher told them not to make a noise.
b) The teacher asked them not to make a noise.
c) The teacher told them that do not make a noise.

Answer b- The teacher asked them not to make a noise.

Q 5. Tom, “Will you come to my bachelor party on Sunday?”

a) Tom told me that if I will come to his bachelor party on Sunday.
b) Tom asked me whether I will come to his bachelor party on Sunday.
c) Tom asked me if I would come to his bachelor party on Sunday.

Answer c - Tom asked me if I would come to his bachelor party on Sunday.

Q 6. The boss ordered the Erik to complete his work on time.

a) The boss ordered, Erik, complete your work on time.
b) The boss ordered, “Erik, complete your work on time!”
c) The boss ordered, Erik complete your work on time!

Answer b- The boss ordered, “Erik, complete your work on time!”

Q 7. The driver said he was going to turn left at the traffic signal.

a) The driver, “I am going to turn left at the traffic signal.”
b) The driver, I will turn left at the traffic signal.
c) The driver, “I would turn left at the traffic signal.”

Answer a- The driver, “I am going to turn left at the traffic signal.”

Q 8. I said that I should certainly take care of all events.

a) I said, “I must certainly take care of all events.”
b) I said, “I shall certainly take care of all events.”
c) I said, “I should certainly take care of all events.”

Answer b- I said, “I shall certainly take care of all events.”

Q 9. I suggested to my husband that we should go to some hill station.

a) I said to my husband, “if we would go to some hill station.”
b) I said to my husband, “we should plan to go to some hill station.”
c) I said to my husband “Let us go to some hill station.”

Answer c - I said to my husband “Let us go to some hill station.”

Q 10. Sharon asked Samantha if she would help her in her work.

a) Sharon said to Samantha, “Will you help me in my work?”
b) Sharon said to Samantha, “Are you going to help me in my work?”
c) Sharon said to Samantha, “Would you help me in my work”?

Answer a - Sharon said to Samantha, “Will you help me in my work?”

English Grammar