Activity Overview
Several themes are present in the novel. Students can pick a theme to explore and should support their choice with specific details or events from the text. One prominent theme is good vs. evil. Princess Saralinda and Zorn of Zorna are seen as good, and the Duke is seen as evil.
An example of the good vs. evil theme is:
Good
"The Princess Saralinda was tall, with freesias in her dark hair, and she wore serenity brightly like a rainbow. It was not easy to tell her mouth from the rose, or her brow from the white lilac."
Evil
"She's not my niece," the lame man sneered. "Stole her from a king." He showed his lower teeth. "We all have flaws," he said, "and mine is being wicked."
Other themes that can be explored are: courage, bravery, and love.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard illustrating important themes from The Thirteen Clocks.
- Use the template provided by your teacher.
- Identify two themes in the story and type them into the title boxes.
- Find quotes from the story that describe the themes and type them into the description.
- Illustrate each example with scenes, characters, and items.
- Click "Save & Exit" when done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified and described. | Some themes are correctly identified. | No themes are correctly identified. |
| Examples of Theme(s) | All examples support the identified theme(s). | Most examples fit the identified theme(s). | Most examples do not fit the theme(s). |
| Illustrate Theme | Images clearly show connection with the theme(s). | Some images help to show the theme. | Images do not help in understanding the theme. |
Activity Overview
Several themes are present in the novel. Students can pick a theme to explore and should support their choice with specific details or events from the text. One prominent theme is good vs. evil. Princess Saralinda and Zorn of Zorna are seen as good, and the Duke is seen as evil.
An example of the good vs. evil theme is:
Good
"The Princess Saralinda was tall, with freesias in her dark hair, and she wore serenity brightly like a rainbow. It was not easy to tell her mouth from the rose, or her brow from the white lilac."
Evil
"She's not my niece," the lame man sneered. "Stole her from a king." He showed his lower teeth. "We all have flaws," he said, "and mine is being wicked."
Other themes that can be explored are: courage, bravery, and love.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard illustrating important themes from The Thirteen Clocks.
- Use the template provided by your teacher.
- Identify two themes in the story and type them into the title boxes.
- Find quotes from the story that describe the themes and type them into the description.
- Illustrate each example with scenes, characters, and items.
- Click "Save & Exit" when done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identify Theme(s) | All themes are correctly identified and described. | Some themes are correctly identified. | No themes are correctly identified. |
| Examples of Theme(s) | All examples support the identified theme(s). | Most examples fit the identified theme(s). | Most examples do not fit the theme(s). |
| Illustrate Theme | Images clearly show connection with the theme(s). | Some images help to show the theme. | Images do not help in understanding the theme. |
How Tos about The Thirteen Clocks - Theme of Good vs. Evil
How can I help students connect the good vs. evil theme to real-life situations?
Encourage students to relate good vs. evil from the story to their own experiences or current events. This builds critical thinking and helps them see literature’s relevance to everyday life.
Guide students in brainstorming real-world examples of good and evil.
Ask students to share moments they’ve witnessed or learned about where someone chose to do good or act unfairly. Connect these examples to characters in the book for deeper understanding.
Facilitate a class discussion on why people choose good or evil actions.
Lead a short conversation about motivation and consequences of choices. Use open-ended questions to let students explore different perspectives.
Assign a quick-write on a time students faced a choice between right and wrong.
Give students 5 minutes to jot down a personal experience. This activity fosters self-reflection and connects their lives to story themes.
Have students share their examples in pairs or small groups.
Let students discuss their quick-writes with a partner or group, building empathy and understanding of how good vs. evil choices impact everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Thirteen Clocks - Theme of Good vs. Evil
What is the main theme of 'The Thirteen Clocks'?
The main theme of 'The Thirteen Clocks' is good vs. evil, shown through the struggles between characters like Princess Saralinda and Zorn of Zorna (good) and the Duke (evil). The story also explores themes such as courage, bravery, and love.
How can students identify themes in 'The Thirteen Clocks'?
Students can identify themes in 'The Thirteen Clocks' by looking for repeated ideas or messages in the story and supporting them with specific quotes or events from the text. Using a storyboard helps organize these examples visually.
What are some examples of good vs. evil in 'The Thirteen Clocks'?
Examples of good vs. evil include Princess Saralinda's kindness and the Duke's wickedness. For instance, Saralinda is described with beauty and serenity, while the Duke admits, "mine is being wicked," highlighting the contrast between good and evil characters.
What activities help students explore themes in 'The Thirteen Clocks'?
Activities like creating a storyboard, finding and illustrating quotes, and discussing themes in groups help students understand and explore the key themes, motifs, and symbols in 'The Thirteen Clocks'.
Which other themes besides good vs. evil can be found in 'The Thirteen Clocks'?
Besides good vs. evil, 'The Thirteen Clocks' includes themes such as courage, bravery, and love, which students can find by analyzing character actions and story events.
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