Theme--a controlling idea or a subject for philosophical reflection in a literary work. Themes can be mythical and archetypal (e.g., the fall of man, symbolic death and rebirth, a quest for knowledge) or moral and psychological (passion vs. reason, the futility of anger, the vanity of selfishness, the need for love, etc.). Thus the same themes can be found in works by different authors in different eras in a variety of genres and styles.

You will be writing about theme on Blackboard for Friday. It's helpful to remember that in literary analysis, it is usually best to state the theme as a sentence (or claim), rather than just a word or phrase. In pairs, discuss possible themes in Bitter in the Mouth. Be prepared to share your ideas.

Forum: What is one important theme in Bitter in the Mouth? Explain your answer by supporting it with quotes and analysis. Remember that your post should be 1/2 - 1 page.