Step 3: The Big Picture: Now that you have analyzed the story, "The Pongo's Dream," and completed your literary terms chart, THINK. What is this story really about? What is the author's main purpose for writing it? What "lesson of life" might it have taught you? After giving these questions some serious consideration, illustrate your theme. You can do this in any number of ways: color drawing, black and white, painting, collage, even computer generated art.
    Together with this "picture," clearly state the theme you have identified. (Remember, the theme is NOT a one word answer! That is a topic. "War," "love," prejudice," are topics not themes.) Make sure you then state whether or not you feel the theme you have identified is universal or transcendent. Does it provide a valuable lesson for all people anywhere and anytime?