A theme is a central idea, subject, or message in a story. Many stories have more than one important theme. For this activity, students will identify and illustrate two of the themes in Cinder. Teachers may want the students to identify and illustrate two themes, one for each cell, or identify one theme and show two examples of it, one example per cell.
Throughout the story, Cinder learns that not only is she a cyborg, but she is also a Lunar and that she’s actually Princess Selene. Cinder struggles with her identity and not having a true family to call her own.
Cinder must live with her legal guardian, her horrible stepmother, and her two stepsisters. Peony, the younger stepsister, shows caring and kindness towards Cinder, but she is a victim of the letumosis plague and dies. Because Cinder is a cyborg, people dislike her and are afraid of her, even though they may not know her. Cinder longs for a connection with someone.
Although she knows that her life is at risk, Cinder feels the need and responsibility to protect her country and its people. One example of this is when she goes to the ball knowing that Queen Levana is there and wants her dead in order to prevent Kai from agreeing to marry the Queen.
Both Cinder and Kai show a great deal of selflessness throughout the story. One example of this is when Kai becomes emperor and Cinder warns him of Levana’s plans to kill him after they marry. Kai knows of this plan but is willing to do it anyway in order to get the antidote and save lives.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies recurring themes in Cinder. Illustrate instances of each theme and write a short description below each cell.
Student Instructions: