So how is characterization used to develop theme?
• Character Traits of Mme. Loisel:
Greedy, Dissatisfied, Dishonest
• How are these character traits used to
develop the following theme?
• Theme: Honesty is the best policy
Explain:
The Necklace: How to Write a Thesis Statement
FORMULA FOR WRITING A THESIS
STATEMENT
Author utilizes + Literary Device in Type &
Title of Work + to Analytical Verb
(suggest) Purpose = Thesis Statement
While the purpose will change depending on what
you write, our PURPOSE in a character analysis
is how the use of a literary device
(characterization) helps develop a theme.
“The Necklace” Character Analysis
THESIS:
Guy de Maupassant utilizes characterization
in his short story “The Necklace” in order to
suggest (insert your theme here).
“The Necklace” Character Analysis
Topic Sentence (Trait #1):
Madame Loisel is greedy.
Concrete Detail
• Provide a lead-in to the quote/evidence.
Explain what is happening just before the
quote. Give context. Then include your
quote. “Use your quote” (pg numbers in
parenthesis).
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Commentary
• Analyze quote with your own explanation
as to HOW the quote proves your topic
sentence.
22
Conclusion
• How did the character’s trait illustrate the
theme / how does it prove the thesis
statement? Relate it back to the THEME.
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Example
Topic
Sentence
Concrete
Details
Commentary
Conclusion
Madame Loisel is greedy. She was not content to
just have a stable life with her husband and was
reminded of this daily. She constantly longed for
fancy clothes and jewels for, “...those were the
only things that she loved - she felt she was made
for them” (334). Even though she had a loving
husband, food on the table, clothes to wear, it
never proved enough for Madame Loisel. She
wanted her outward appearance to reflect a higher
status than she could actually afford. Her pursuit
for the finer possessions in life ultimately caused
her downfall proving that greed can lead people to
unfortunate situations.
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Homework
• Have at least TWO complete paragraphs
Tuesday (Handwritten is ok.... for now)
• You will need three total paragraphs typed
by Thursday.
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Make Topic Sentences more sophisticated
Change “Madame Loisel is greedy” to:
“Madame Loisel doesn’t realize the more she
feeds her greed, the more control it has over
her.
Change “Madame Loisel is dissatisfied” to:
“Dissatisfaction seems to have created a leak in
Madame Loisel; regardless of what is poured
into her life, it is impossible to fill her up.”
Make Topic Sentences more sophisticated
Change “Madame Loisel is dishonest” to:
Madame Loisel finds herself entrapped in her
own web of deception when she attempts
to cover her mistake by being dishonest.