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A theme is the central message or meaning of a literary work. It is usually not stated directly but needs to be inferred by the reader. It is a general conclusion or lesson about human nature or society. An example of a theme might be, “Money can’t buy happiness.” Below you will find reading comprehension passages that can be used for instruction on themes. Check out our theme anchor chart resources too!
Jenna woke up and looked at her alarm clock. It was 10 o’clock. “Oh, no!” she cried. “We’re late for school!” Jenna ran downstairs. Her brother, Jesse, sat at the kitchen table. He was eating a bowl of cereal. “We’re not late,” he said. “Look out the window.” Jenna looked out…
Anne Shirley is a young orphan who has gone to live with the Cuthberts, Marilla and Matthew, on their farm called Green Gables. Anne has a great imagination which has helped her through her hard life. Matthew and Marilla are brother and sister, and they are new to the experience…
In Stephen Crane’s novel, The Red Badge of Courage, Henry Fleming is a young Union soldier in the Civil War. Before he enlisted, Henry had a romantic view of war. This passage takes place before Henry’s first battle as a soldier. —————————– However, he perceived now that it did not…
This passage is a speech from Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth. The title character Macbeth is a Scottish general who receives a prophecy that he would one day be King of Scotland. He becomes ambitious and eager to make the prophecy come true. He is encouraged by his wife, Lady Macbeth. He…
In this version of a Greek myth, Daedalus is a great builder employed by King Minos. He became famous for designing and building the Labyrinth of Crete which held the Minotaur, a great monster. —————————————– Daedalus was guilty of a deed which angered the king very greatly; and had not…
My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun Coral is far more red than her lips’ red If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun; If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head. I have seen roses damask’d, red and white, …
Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women in the late 1860s. It’s the story of the four March sisters growing up during the American Civil War. Their names are Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Their once prosperous family has lost most of their money, and Mr. March is serving in the…
Molly was a fluffy grey cat. She liked to lap up sweet cream for breakfast. When Molly was ready to rest, she would curl up on Mrs. Marks’ lap. Sometimes this made Mrs. Marks say “tsk tsk” when Molly got tangled in her knitting. Molly was very happy. While Mrs.…
Up into the cherry tree Who should climb but little me? I held the trunk with both my hands And looked abroad on foreign lands. I saw the next door garden lie, Adorned with flowers, before my eye, And many pleasant places more That I had never seen before. I…
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was written by L. Frank Baum. It’s the story of Dorothy, a girl from Kansas, who was take by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. In order to return home, she must go to the Emerald City and speak to the powerful Wizard…
