5. THEME: Earlier in the story, the winter setting created a warm, nostalgic atmosphere. At the end of the story, “fruitcake weather” creates a bleak and cheerless mood now that his friend is dead. The wintry setting adds to the overall theme of the story because it reminds us of the poignancy of losing a true and precious friend. The following three statements could describe the theme of the story. Choose one, underline it, and describe why you think this is the theme. What happened in the story to lead you to believe this is the theme of “A Christmas Memory”? Friendship is lasting because it is honest and without ulterior motives.

Appreciate the simple things in life.

You can’t live in the past.