Theme. A theme is a central idea in a literary work. Theme is not the same as topic. For example, the topic of a poem could be “babies,” but the theme of the poem could be “babies remind us of what life is all about,” or “babies are cute but they’re nothing but trouble,” or “babies grow up faster than you realize.” Both of the following poems are about fathers. As you read them, try to write a statement about the theme of each one. You may want to use a graphic organizer like the one to the right to help you organize your thoughts about theme.

• Social Studies Connection. In all cultures there are family groups that range in size from a two-person family to an extended family made up of grandparents, parents, and children—sometimes even aunts, uncles, cousins, and other community members are included in the extended family.
• The functions of family differ from culture to culture. In most societies, the family is the basic social unit into which children are born and from which they receive protection and training. Through family life, children are taught the rules and norms of their society, plus social skills such as how to get along with others. Family traditions are based on the family’s cultural roots. Since there is such a mix of people with different cultural backgrounds in the United States, we have no single kind of family tradition. Some American families have little contact with extended family members, while others keep close ties and frequently see members of the extended family.

What is your father’s most important role—economic provider, teacher, caregiver, family manager, housecleaner, chef, playmate, driver, or friend? Explain your answer.