Theme: Manuel and the Magic Fox

Theme in Manuel & the Magic Fox

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Lesson Standards

8.1(A)

8.1(D)

8.5(F)

8.6(A)

8.6(G)

8.6(E)

8.7(A)

Learning Intention

Today, we will explore the theme of "Manuel and the Magic Fox" to deepen our understanding of the story and connect its message to our own lives and the world around us.

What will this lesson look like?

Success Criteria

Language Objective

Identify the theme(s) in "Manuel and the Magic Fox" and provide supporting evidence from the text.

I will use academic language to discuss and analyze the theme in "Manuel and the Magic Fox".

As we watch the video on "Magical Realism" note your thoughts on the clip and how it relates to storytelling. Put those in the chat!

Do Now:

Define

The topic of a literary work is the subject of the work. It is usually expressed as a noun. The theme is the central idea or message of a work of literature. It is often expressed as a general statement about life. For example, the topic of a literary work might be love. The theme would be what the writer suggests about love: that it is wonderful or painful or both. A literary work may have more than one theme. Sometimes a writer states a theme directly. More often though, theme is revealed gradually. In short stories, novels, and dramas, theme is revealed through elements such as character and plot. When theme is not stated directly, a reader will have to infer the theme. To infer means to determine something by using reasoning and text evidence. *Watch StudySync Video

Vocabulary

Topic

Theme

Infer

the subject of a text, usually expressed as a single word or phrase in the form of a noun

the central idea or message of a work of literature, often expressed as a general statement about life

To determine something not stated directly by using reasoning and evidence from the text

Identification & Application

In order to identify interactions of characters and events that help to develop theme, note the following:

• conflict that the main characters face
• how the main characters deal with conflict
• the main character’s and other characters’ responses during the major or most important events in the story
• the main character’s and other characters’ responses before, during, and after the resolution of the conflict

Identification & Application

Analyze how themes are developed through the interaction of characters and events, within as well as across texts, using the following questions as a guide:

• What general message about life can you learn from the experiences of the main character or other characters?
• How does your perspective about events differ from that of one of the characters?
• What conflict or challenges does the plot present to the characters?
• What lessons do the characters learn?
• How do the characters change by the end of the story or play?
• What does the resolution suggest about life in general?
• Using reasoning and text evidence, what can I infer are the themes in this literary work?
• How is the thematic development similar to ones in other texts I’ve read?

Model

In “Manuel and the Magic Fox” by Ekaterina Sedia, a young man struggles to trust a new friend in a time of crisis. Noticing details about the interaction between characters and events can help you determine the theme of this story. Let’s look at how one reader finds clues about theme by analyzing a character’s response to an event. Manuel is going through a hard time while he struggles to care for his ailing mother. He cares about other people and their troubles, though. Maybe the theme has to do with helping people.

Model

The reader pays close attention to Manuel’s behavior and then tries to connect his reaction to a bigger idea within the text. In the text, the reader highlights that Manuel “contemplated whether it was something he should be worried about.” Using this evidence, the reader infers that Manuel still cares about other people and wants to help them if he can. Analyzing details about Manuel helps the reader begin to think about a possible theme of the story. The reader continues reading “Manuel and the Magic Fox” and identifies additional details about how Manuel responds to conflict: Manuel doesn’t know Tomiko, and he doesn’t trust her yet. He doesn’t hesitate to help her, however. He invites her to stay in his home. This shows that it can be risky to help people, but Manuel still does it.

Model

In this passage, the reader highlights details about the conflict between characters and within Manuel himself. Manuel does not trust Tomiko when he first meets her. The reader also highlights Manuel’s reaction to that conflict. His observation that Manuel is determined to help Tomiko even though he doesn’t know her is a clue to the theme of the story. While the reader has not yet confirmed a theme, he seems to be on the right track with his inference about helping people. As he continues to read, the reader will look for more details about the story’s conflict and the characters’ reactions to it in order to confirm the story’s theme.

thanks!