Question Number Three

3. The theme of a work is not its subject or ropic, but rather what that subject means - what idea or insight it reveals about human existence - what is the author's message to the planet? Themes are revealed gradually as we learn about the characters and their predicament. Keep a LIVING post (once which you keep adding to every time you log on to your blog) about what you think the plays theme(s) is / are).
>> I think that the theme of the play is how prejudice isn't a good thing and how it can affect people. In this drama, the Franks, the Van Daans, and Mr. Dussel all went into hiding because of Hitler's prejudice to the Jews. They all had to hide in the Secret Annex for two years until they got caught. They also died after being sent to the concentration camp. And I think that there is one more theme: having hope. Throughout the whole drama, inside the Secret Annex, there was Anne, dancing, singing, and playing. There was Mr. Frank, who always gave hope and courage to the people. There was Mrs. Frank who gave love to everyone in the Annex. I think that was how the people were able to survive for two years. They had hope and happiness even when they were in hiding and in fear. They were able to survive in the Annex.

Theme for When My Name Was Keoko

The theme of the story: In Linda Sue Park's When My Name Was Keoko, which is about a Korean girl and a boy living in the time of Japanese occupation, going through many conflicts until they are free, the theme is that courage is something that is needed to accomplish something one wants to be done.

Bonus: Analyzing a Story's Theme
1) Does the title signify something about the story? Does it point to a truth the story reveals about life?
>> The title (When My Name Was Keoko) signifies how the main character once had to change his or her name from Korean to Japanese. It also shows how the Koreans were controlled by the Japanese.

2) Does the main character change during the course of the story? Does the main character realize something he or she did not know before?
>> Tae-Yul seemed to get more mature, thoughtful, and caring about his family, especially when he volunteered to go to the military. And then Sun-Hee learned to think more importantly of their family, and she also learned to act after thinking after the incident of Uncle. And then they both are now proud of their family (especially Uncle and Father)

3) Are any important statements about life or people made in the story, either by the narrator or characters in the story?
>> "One hand. Five fingers of thought - that is all I will give them. Not one finger more." pg. 58, stated by Mrs. Ahn.

4) Is the theme ever directly stated? If so, where is it stated?
>> NO

5) In one sentence, state the story's theme. Do you agree with the theme? Is the writer presenting a truth about life or forcing us to accept a false view?
>> The theme: In Linda Sue Park's When My Name Was Keoko, which is about a Korean girl and a boy living in the time of Japanese occupation, going through many conflicts until they are free, the theme is that courage is something that is needed to accomplish something one wants to be done. I agree with the theme, and do not think that the writer is forcing us to accept a false view.