Compare and Contrast Themes and Topics Across Cultures

​Stories from different cultures may seem unique, but many share similar themes and patterns of events.

​Alike and Different

​A theme is the message or lesson that a story teaches.

​What is Theme?

​A hero battles a villain or monster.

​​Good vs Evil

​A character faces fear to do something important.

​​Courage

​People help and support each other.

​​Friendship

​​Common Themes

Patterns of events are the way stories are structured .

​

​What are Patterns of Events?

​A Hero goes on a journey to find something.

​​The Quest

​A character faces a difficult task.

​​The Challenge

​A clever character outsmarts others.

​​The Trickster

​​Common Patterns

​Even though stories from different cultures have similar themes and patterns, they can also be different.

​Why do we compare stories?

Hercules uses strength whereas Mulan uses bravery and courage to help others.

​Different

The character Hercules and Mulan are both heroes in their tales who show courage.

​Alike

​By comparing stories, you can see how different cultures teach similar lessons in their own unique way.