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Theme Definition

What is theme? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

A theme is a universal idea, lesson, or message explored throughout a work of literature. One key characteristic of literary themes is their universality, which is to say that themes are ideas that not only apply to the specific characters and events of a book or play, but also express broader truths about human experience that readers can apply to their own lives. For instance, John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath (about a family of tenant farmers who are displaced from their land in Oklahoma) is a book whose themes might be said to include the inhumanity of capitalism, as well as the vitality and necessity of family and friendship.

Some additional key details about theme:

• All works of literature have themes. The same work can have multiple themes, and many different works explore the same or similar themes.
• Themes are sometimes divided into thematic concepts and thematic statements . A work's thematic concept is the broader topic it touches upon (love, forgiveness, pain, etc.) while its thematic statement is what the work says about that topic. For example, the thematic concept of a romance novel might be love, and, depending on what happens in the story, its thematic statement might be that "Love is blind," or that "You can't buy love . "
• Themes are almost never stated explicitly. Oftentimes you can identify a work's themes by looking for a repeating symbol , motif , or phrase that appears again and again throughout a story, since it often signals a recurring concept or idea.

Theme Pronunciation

Here's how to pronounce theme: theem

Identifying Themes

Every work of literature—whether it's an essay, a novel, a poem, or something else—has at least one theme. Therefore, when analyzing a given work, it's always possible to discuss what the work is "about" on two separate levels: the more concrete level of the plot (i.e., what literally happens in the work), as well as the more abstract level of the theme (i.e., the concepts that the work deals with). Understanding the themes of a work is vital to understanding the work's significance—which is why, for example, every LitCharts Literature Guide uses a specific set of themes to help analyze the text.

Although some writers set out to explore certain themes in their work before they've even begun writing, many writers begin to write without a preconceived idea of the themes they want to explore—they simply allow the themes to emerge naturally through the writing process. But even when writers do set out to investigate a particular theme, they usually don't identify that theme explicitly in the work itself. Instead, each reader must come to their own conclusions about what themes are at play in a given work, and each reader will likely come away with a unique thematic interpretation or understanding of the work.

Symbol, Motif, and Leitwortstil

Writers often use three literary devices in particular—known as symbol , motif , and leitwortstil —to emphasize or hint at a work's underlying themes. Spotting these elements at work in a text can help you know where to look for its main themes.

• Near the beginning of Romeo and Juliet , Benvolio promises to make Romeo feel better about Rosaline's rejection of him by introducing him to more beautiful women, saying "Compare [Rosaline's] face with some that I shall show….and I will make thee think thy swan a crow." Here, the swan is a symbol for how Rosaline appears to the adoring Romeo, while the crow is a symbol for how she will soon appear to him, after he has seen other, more beautiful women.
• Symbols might occur once or twice in a book or play to represent an emotion, and in that case aren't necessarily related to a theme. However, if you start to see clusters of similar symbols appearing in a story, this may mean that the symbols are part of an overarching motif, in which case they very likely are related to a theme.
• For example, Shakespeare uses the motif of "dark vs. light" in Romeo and Juliet to emphasize one of the play's main themes: the contradictory nature of love. To develop this theme, Shakespeare describes the experience of love by pairing contradictory, opposite symbols next to each other throughout the play: not only crows and swans, but also night and day, moon and sun. These paired symbols all fall into the overall pattern of "dark vs. light," and that overall pattern is called a motif.
• A famous example is Kurt Vonnegut's repetition of the phrase "So it goes" throughout his novel Slaughterhouse Five , a novel which centers around the events of World War II. Vonnegut's narrator repeats the phrase each time he recounts a tragic story from the war, an effective demonstration of how the horrors of war have become normalized for the narrator. The constant repetition of the phrase emphasizes the novel's primary themes: the death and destruction of war, and the futility of trying to prevent or escape such destruction, and both of those things coupled with the author's skepticism that any of the destruction is necessary and that war-time tragedies "can't be helped."

Symbol, motif and leitwortstil are simply techniques that authors use to emphasize themes, and should not be confused with the actual thematic content at which they hint. That said, spotting these tools and patterns can give you valuable clues as to what might be the underlying themes of a work.

Thematic Concepts vs. Thematic Statements

A work's thematic concept is the broader topic it touches upon—for instance:

• Forgiveness

while its thematic statement is the particular argument the writer makes about that topic through his or her work, such as:

• Human judgement is imperfect.
• Love cannot be bought.
• Getting revenge on someone else will not fix your problems.
• Learning to forgive is part of becoming an adult.

Should You Use Thematic Concepts or Thematic Statements?

Some people argue that when describing a theme in a work that simply writing a thematic concept is insufficient, and that instead the theme must be described in a full sentence as a thematic statement. Other people argue that a thematic statement, being a single sentence, usually creates an artificially simplistic description of a theme in a work and is therefore can actually be more misleading than helpful. There isn't really a right answer in this debate.

In our LitCharts literature study guides , we usually identify themes in headings as thematic concepts, and then explain the theme more fully in a few paragraphs. We find thematic statements limiting in fully exploring or explaining a the theme, and so we don't use them. Please note that this doesn't mean we only rely on thematic concepts—we spend paragraphs explaining a theme after we first identify a thematic concept. If you are asked to describe a theme in a text, you probably should usually try to at least develop a thematic statement about the text if you're not given the time or space to describe it more fully. For example, a statement that a book is about "the senselessness of violence" is a lot stronger and more compelling than just saying that the book is about "violence."

Identifying Thematic Statements

One way to try to to identify or describe the thematic statement within a particular work is to think through the following aspects of the text:

• Plot: What are the main plot elements in the work, including the arc of the story, setting, and characters. What are the most important moments in the story? How does it end? How is the central conflict resolved?
• Protagonist: Who is the main character, and what happens to him or her? How does he or she develop as a person over the course of the story?
• Prominent symbols and motifs: Are there any motifs or symbols that are featured prominently in the work—for example, in the title, or recurring at important moments in the story—that might mirror some of the main themes?

After you've thought through these different parts of the text, consider what their answers might tell you about the thematic statement the text might be trying to make about any given thematic concept. The checklist above shouldn't be thought of as a precise formula for theme-finding, but rather as a set of guidelines, which will help you ask the right questions and arrive at an interesting thematic interpretation.

Theme Examples

The following examples not only illustrate how themes develop over the course of a work of literature, but they also demonstrate how paying careful attention to detail as you read will enable you to come to more compelling conclusions about those themes.

Themes in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald explores many themes in The Great Gatsby , among them the corruption of the American Dream .

• The story's narrator is Minnesota-born Nick Caraway, a New York bonds salesman. Nick befriends Jay Gatsby, the protagonist, who is a wealthy man who throws extravagant parties at his mansion.
• The central conflict of the novel is Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy, whom he met and fell in love with as a young man, but parted from during World War I.
• He makes a fortune illegally by bootlegging alcohol, to become the sort of wealthy man he believes Daisy is attracted to, then buys a house near her home, where she lives with her husband.
• While he does manage to re-enter Daisy's life, she ultimately abandons him and he dies as a result of her reckless, selfish behavior.
• Gatsby's house is on the water, and he stares longingly across the water at a green light that hangs at the edge of a dock at Daisy's house which sits across a the bay. The symbol of the light appears multiple times in the novel—during the early stages of Gatsby's longing for Daisy, during his pursuit of her, and after he dies without winning her love. It symbolizes both his longing for daisy and the distance between them (the distance of space and time) that he believes (incorrectly) that he can bridge. 
• In addition to the green light, the color green appears regularly in the novel. This motif of green broadens and shapes the symbolism of the green light and also influences the novel's themes. While green always remains associated with Gatsby's yearning for Daisy and the past, and also his ambitious striving to regain Daisy, it also through the motif of repeated green becomes associated with money, hypocrisy, and destruction. Gatsby's yearning for Daisy, which is idealistic in some ways, also becomes clearly corrupt in others, which more generally impacts what the novel is saying about dreams more generally and the American Dream in particular. 

Gatsby pursues the American Dream, driven by the idea that hard work can lead anyone from poverty to wealth, and he does so for a single reason: he's in love with Daisy. However, he pursues the dream dishonestly, making a fortune by illegal means, and ultimately fails to achieve his goal of winning Daisy's heart. Furthermore, when he actually gets close to winning Daisy's heart, she brings about his downfall. Through the story of Gatsby and Daisy, Fitzgerald expresses the point of view that the American Dream carries at its core an inherent corruption. You can read more about the theme of The American Dream in The Great Gatsby here .

Themes in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart

In Things Fall Apart , Chinua Achebe explores the theme of the dangers of rigidly following tradition .

• Okonkwo is obsessed with embodying the masculine ideals of traditional Igbo warrior culture.
• Okonkwo's dedication to his clan's traditions is so extreme that it even alienates members of his own family, one of whom joins the Christians.
• The central conflict: Okonkwo's community adapts to colonization in order to survive, becoming less warlike and allowing the minor injustices that the colonists inflict upon them to go unchallenged. Okonkwo, however, refuses to adapt.
• At the end of the novel, Okonkwo impulsively kills a Christian out of anger. Recognizing that his community does not support his crime, Okonkwo kills himself in despair.
• Clanswomen who give birth to twins abandon the babies in the forest to die, according to traditional beliefs that twins are evil.
• Okonkwo kills his beloved adopted son, a prisoner of war, according to the clan's traditions.
• Okonkwo sacrifices a goat in repentence, after severely beating his wife during the clan's holy week.

Through the tragic story of Okonkwo, Achebe is clearly dealing with the theme of tradition, but a close examination of the text reveals that he's also making a clear thematic statement that following traditions too rigidly leads people to the greatest sacrifice of all: that of personal agency . You can read more about this theme in Things Fall Apart   here .

Themes in Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken

Poem's have themes just as plot-driven narratives do. One theme that Robert Frost explores in this famous poem,  The Road Not Taken ,  is the illusory nature of free will .

• The poem's speaker stands at a fork in the road, in a "yellow wood."
• He (or she) looks down one path as far as possible, then takes the other, which seems less worn.
• The speaker then admits that the paths are about equally worn—there's really no way to tell the difference—and that a layer of leaves covers both of the paths, indicating that neither has been traveled recently.
• After taking the second path, the speaker finds comfort in the idea of taking the first path sometime in the future, but acknowledges that he or she is unlikely to ever return to that particular fork in the woods.
• The speaker imagines how, "with a sigh" she will tell someone in the future, "I took the road less travelled—and that has made all the difference."
• By wryly predicting his or her own need to romanticize, and retroactively justify, the chosen path, the speaker injects the poem with an unmistakeable hint of irony .
• The speaker's journey is a symbol for life, and the two paths symbolize different life paths, with the road "less-travelled" representing the path of an individualist or lone-wolf. The fork where the two roads diverge represents an important life choice. The road "not taken" represents the life path that the speaker would have pursued had he or she had made different choices.

Frost's speaker has reached a fork in the road, which—according to the symbolic language of the poem—means that he or she must make an important life decision. However, the speaker doesn't really know anything about the choice at hand: the paths appear to be the same from the speaker's vantage point, and there's no way he or she can know where the path will lead in the long term. By showing that the only truly informed choice the speaker makes is how he or she explains their decision after they have already made it , Frost suggests that although we pretend to make our own choices, our lives are actually governed by chance.

What's the Function of Theme in Literature?

Themes are a huge part of what readers ultimately take away from a work of literature when they're done reading it. They're the universal lessons and ideas that we draw from our experiences of works of art: in other words, they're part of the whole reason anyone would want to pick up a book in the first place!

It would be difficult to write any sort of narrative that did not include any kind of theme. The narrative itself would have to be almost completely incoherent in order to seem theme-less, and even then readers would discern a theme about incoherence and meaninglessness. So themes are in that sense an intrinsic part of nearly all writing. At the same time, the themes that a writer is interested in exploring will significantly impact nearly all aspects of how a writer chooses to write a text. Some writers might know the themes they want to explore from the beginning of their writing process, and proceed from there. Others might have only a glimmer of an idea, or have new ideas as they write, and so the themes they address might shift and change as they write. In either case, though, the writer's ideas about his or her themes will influence how they write. 

One additional key detail about themes and how they work is that the process of identifying and interpreting them is often very personal and subjective. The subjective experience that readers bring to interpreting a work's themes is part of what makes literature so powerful: reading a book isn't simply a one-directional experience, in which the writer imparts their thoughts on life to the reader, already distilled into clear thematic statements. Rather, the process of reading and interpreting a work to discover its themes is an exchange in which readers parse the text to tease out the themes they find most relevant to their personal experience and interests.

Other Helpful Theme Resources

• The Wikipedia Page on Theme: An in-depth explanation of theme that also breaks down the difference between thematic concepts and thematic statements.
• The Dictionary Definition of Theme: A basic definition and etymology of the term.
• In this instructional video , a teacher explains her process for helping students identify themes.

• Climax (Figure of Speech)
• Protagonist
• Bildungsroman
• Flat Character
• Antimetabole

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Definition of Theme

Come, gentle night ; come, loving, black-browed night; Give me my Romeo; and, when I shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars, And he will make the face of heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night

Common Examples of Literary Themes

Many works of literature share common themes and central ideas. As a literary device, theme allows the author to present and reveal all aspects of human nature and the human condition. This enhances the enjoyment and significance of a literary work for readers by encouraging thought, interpretation, and analysis. Discovery and analysis of theme is also one of the primary reasons that readers return to “classic” literary works that are centuries old. There is no end or expiration to the significance and impact theme can have on readers of literature.

Famous Examples of Disney Movies and Their Themes

Difference between theme and subject matter.

Sometimes it can be difficult to determine the difference between the theme and subject matter of a literary work. They are both closely related to each other; however, the subject matter is the topic that is overtly addressed and presented by the writer whereas the theme is the meaning or underlying message that is imparted through the writing.

Examples of Theme in Literature

As a literary device, the purpose of theme is the main idea or underlying meaning that is explored by a writer in a work of literature. Writers can utilize a combination of elements in order to convey a story’s theme, including setting , plot , characters, dialogue , and more. For certain works of literature, such as fables , the theme is typically a “ moral ” or lesson for the reader. However, more complex works of literature tend to have a central theme that is open to interpretation and reflects a basic aspect of society or trait of humanity. Many longer works of literature, such as novels, convey several themes in order to explore the universality of human nature.

Example 1:  The Yellow Wall-Paper  (Charlotte Perkins Gilman)

If a physician of high standing, and one’s own husband, assures friends and relatives that there is really nothing the matter with one but temporary nervous depression – a slight hysterical tendency – what is one to do? My brother is also a physician, and also of high standing, and he says the same thing. • So I take phosphates or phosphites whichever it is, and tonics, and journeys, and air, and exercise, and am absolutely forbidden to “work” until I am well again. Personally, I disagree with their ideas. Personally, I believe that congenial work, with excitement and change, would do me good.

In her short story , Charlotte Perkins Gilman holds forth a revolutionary theme for the time period. The protagonist of the story is kept in a room with sickly yellow wall-paper as a means of “curing” her emotional and mental difficulties. Her husband, brother, and others are committed to keeping her idle. She is even separated from her baby. Rather than allow the narrator any agency over her daily life, they disregard her words and requests for the fact that she is a woman and considered incompetent.

Example 2:  Harlem  (Langston Hughes)

What happens to a dream deferred?       Does it dry up       like a raisin in the sun ?       Or fester like a sore—       And then run?       Does it stink like rotten meat?       Or crust and sugar over—       like a syrupy sweet?       Maybe it just sags       like a heavy load.        Or does it explode?

Hughes’s well-known poem explores the universality of hope and dreams among humans and the devastating legacy of oppression in deferring such hope and dreams. Hughes structures the poem in the form of questions and responses addressing what happens to a dream deferred. This calls on the reader to consider their own dreams as well those of others, which underscores the theme that dreams, and the hope associated with them, is universal–regardless of race, faith, etc.

Example 3:  A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man  (James Joyce)

I will tell you what I will do and what I will not do. I will not serve that in which I no longer believe, whether it calls itself my home, my fatherland, or my church: and I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can and as wholly as I can, using for my defense the only arms I allow myself to use — silence , exile , and cunning.

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When someone asks you “What is this book about?” , there are a few ways you can answer. There’s “ plot ,” which refers to the literal events in the book, and there’s “character,” which refers to the people in the book and the struggles they overcome. Finally, there are themes in literature that correspond with the work’s topic and message. But what is theme in literature?

The theme of a story or poem refers to the deeper meaning of that story or poem. All works of literature contend with certain complex ideas, and theme is how a story or poem approaches these ideas.

There are countless ways to approach the theme of a story or poem, so let’s take a look at some theme examples and a list of themes in literature. We’ll discuss the differences between theme and other devices, like theme vs moral and theme vs topic. Finally, we’ll examine why theme is so essential to any work of literature, including to your own writing.

But first, what is theme? Let’s explore what theme is—and what theme isn’t.

Common Themes in Literature: Contents

• Theme Definition

20 Common Themes in Literature

• Theme Examples

Themes in Literature: A Hierarchy of Ideas

Why themes in literature matter.

• Should I Decide the Themes of a Story in Advance?

Theme Definition: What is Theme?

Theme describes the central idea(s) that a piece of writing explores. Rather than stating this theme directly, the author will look at theme using the set of literary tools at their disposal. The theme of a story or poem will be explored through elements like characters , plot, settings , conflict, and even word choice and literary devices .

Theme definition: the central idea(s) that a piece of writing explores.

That said, theme is more than just an idea. It is also the work’s specific vantage point on that idea. In other words, a theme is an idea plus an opinion: it is the author’s specific views regarding the central ideas of the work. 

All works of literature have these central ideas and opinions, even if those ideas and opinions aren’t immediate to the reader.

Justice, for example, is a literary theme that shows up in a lot of classical works. To Kill a Mockingbird contends with racial justice, especially at a time when the U.S. justice system was exceedingly stacked against African Americans. How can a nation call itself just when justice is used as a weapon?

By contrast, the play Hamlet is about the son of a recently-executed king. Hamlet seeks justice for his father and vows to kill Claudius—his father’s killer—but routinely encounters the paradox of revenge. Can justice really be found through more bloodshed?

What is theme? An idea + an opinion.

Clearly, these two works contend with justice in unrelated ways. All themes in literature are broad and open-ended, allowing writers to explore their own ideas about these complex topics.

Let’s look at some common themes in literature. The ideas presented within this list of themes in literature show up in novels, memoirs, poems, and stories throughout history.

Theme Examples in Literature

Let’s take a closer look at how writers approach and execute theme. Themes in literature are conveyed throughout the work, so while you might not have read the books in the following theme examples, we’ve provided plot synopses and other relevant details where necessary. We analyze the following:

• Power and Corruption in the novel Animal Farm
• Loneliness in the short story “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place”
• Love in the poem “How Do I Love Thee”

Theme Examples: Power and Corruption in the Novel Animal Farm

At its simplest, the novel Animal Farm by George Orwell is an allegory that represents the rise and moral decline of Communism in Russia. Specifically, the novel uncovers how power corrupts the leaders of populist uprisings, turning philosophical ideals into authoritarian regimes.

Most of the characters in Animal Farm represent key figures during and after the Russian Revolution. On an ailing farm that’s run by the negligent farmer Mr. Jones (Tsar Nicholas II), the livestock are ready to seize control of the land. The livestock’s discontent is ripened by Old Major (Karl Marx/Lenin), who advocates for the overthrow of the ruling elite and the seizure of private land for public benefit.

After Old Major dies, the pigs Napoleon (Joseph Stalin) and Snowball (Leon Trotsky) stage a revolt. Mr. Jones is chased off the land, which parallels the Russian Revolution in 1917. The pigs then instill “Animalism”—a system of government that advocates for the rights of the common animal. At the core of this philosophy is the idea that “all animals are equal”—an ideal that, briefly, every animal upholds.

Initially, the Animalist Revolution brings peace and prosperity to the farm. Every animal is well-fed, learns how to read, and works for the betterment of the community. However, when Snowball starts implementing a plan to build a windmill, Napoleon drives Snowball off of the farm, effectively assuming leadership over the whole farm. (In real life, Stalin forced Trotsky into exile, and Trotsky spent the rest of his life critiquing the Stalin regime until he was assassinated in 1940.)

Napoleon’s leadership quickly devolves into demagoguery, demonstrating the corrupting influence of power and the ways that ideology can breed authoritarianism. Napoleon uses Snowball as a scapegoat for whenever the farm has a setback, while using Squealer (Vyacheslav Molotov) as his private informant and public orator.

Eventually, Napoleon changes the tenets of Animalism, starts walking on two legs, and acquires other traits and characteristics of humans. At the end of the novel, and after several more conflicts , purges, and rule changes, the livestock can no longer tell the difference between the pigs and humans.

Themes in Literature: Power and Corruption in Animal Farm

So, how does Animal Farm explore the theme of “Power and Corruption”? Let’s analyze a few key elements of the novel.

Plot: The novel’s major plot points each relate to power struggles among the livestock. First, the livestock wrest control of the farm from Mr. Jones; then, Napoleon ostracizes Snowball and turns him into a scapegoat. By seizing leadership of the farm for himself, Napoleon grants himself massive power over the land, abusing this power for his own benefit. His leadership brings about purges, rule changes, and the return of inequality among the livestock, while Napoleon himself starts to look more and more like a human—in other words, he resembles the demagoguery of Mr. Jones and the abuse that preceded the Animalist revolution.

Thus, each plot point revolves around power and how power is wielded by corrupt leadership. At its center, the novel warns the reader of unchecked power, and how corrupt leaders will create echo chambers and private militaries in order to preserve that power.

Characters: The novel’s characters reinforce this message of power by resembling real life events. Most of these characters represent real life figures from the Russian Revolution, including the ideologies behind that revolution. By creating an allegory around Lenin, Trotsky, Stalin, and the other leading figures of Communist Russia’s rise and fall, the novel reminds us that unchecked power foments disaster in the real world.

Literary Devices: There are a few key literary devices that support the theme of Power and Corruption. First, the novel itself is a “satirical allegory.” “ Satire ” means that the novel is ridiculing the behaviors of certain people—namely Stalin, who instilled far-more-dangerous laws and abuses that created further inequality in Russia/the U.S.S.R. While Lenin and Trotsky had admirable goals for the Russian nation, Stalin is, quite literally, a pig.

Meanwhile, “allegory” means that the story bears symbolic resemblance to real life, often to teach a moral. The characters and events in this story resemble the Russian Revolution and its aftermath, with the purpose of warning the reader about unchecked power.

Finally, an important literary device in Animal Farm is symbolism . When Napoleon (Stalin) begins to resemble a human, the novel suggests that he has become as evil and negligent as Mr. Jones (Tsar Nicholas II). Since the Russian Revolution was a rejection of the Russian monarchy, equating Stalin to the monarchy reinforces the corrupting influence of power, and the need to elect moral individuals to posts of national leadership.

Theme Examples: Loneliness in “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place”

Ernest Hemingway’s short story “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” is concerned with the theme of loneliness. You can read this short story here . Content warning for mentions of suicide.

There are very few plot points in Hemingway’s story, so most of the story’s theme is expressed through dialogue and description. In the story, an old man stays up late drinking at a cafe. The old man has no wife—only a niece that stays with him—and he attempted suicide the previous week. Two waiters observe him: a younger waiter wants the old man to leave so they can close the cafe, while an older waiter sympathizes with the old man. None of these characters have names.

The younger waiter kicks out the old man and closes the cafe. The older waiter walks to a different cafe and ruminates on the importance of “a clean, well-lighted place” like the cafe he works at.

Themes in Literature: Loneliness in “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place”

Hemingway doesn’t tell us what to think about the old man’s loneliness, but he does provide two opposing viewpoints through the dialogue of the waiters.

The younger waiter has the hallmarks of a happy life: youth, confidence, and a wife to come home to. While he acknowledges that the old man is unhappy, he also admits “I don’t want to look at him,” complaining that the old man has “no regard for those who must work.” The younger waiter “did not wish to be unjust,” he simply wanted to return home.

The older waiter doesn’t have the privilege of turning away: like the old man, he has a house but not a home to return to, and he knows that someone may need the comfort of “a clean and pleasant cafe.”

The older waiter, like Hemingway, empathizes with the plight of the old man. When your place of rest isn’t a home, the world can feel like a prison, so having access to a space that counteracts this feeling is crucial. What kind of a place is that? The older waiter surmises that “the light of course” matters, but the place must be “clean and pleasant” too. Additionally, the place should not have music or be a bar: it must let you preserve the quiet dignity of yourself.

Lastly, the older waiter’s musings about God clue the reader into his shared loneliness with the old man. In a stream of consciousness, the older waiter recites traditional Christian prayers with “nada” in place of “God,” “Father,” “Heaven,” and other symbols of divinity. A bartender describes the waiter as “otro locos mas” (translation: another crazy), and the waiter concludes that his plight must be insomnia.

This belies the irony of loneliness: only the lonely recognize it. The older waiter lacks confidence, youth, and belief in a greater good. He recognizes these traits in the old man, as they both share a need for a clean, well-lighted place long after most people fall asleep. Yet, the younger waiter and the bartender don’t recognize these traits as loneliness, just the ramblings and shortcomings of crazy people.

Does loneliness beget craziness? Perhaps. But to call the waiter and old man crazy would dismiss their feelings and experiences, further deepening their loneliness.

Loneliness is only mentioned once in the story, when the young waiter says “He’s [the old man] lonely. I’m not lonely. I have a wife waiting in bed for me.” Nonetheless, loneliness consumes this short story and its older characters, revealing a plight that, ironically, only the lonely understand.

Theme Examples: Love in the Poem “How Do I Love Thee”

Let’s turn towards brighter themes in literature: namely, love in poetry . Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem “ How Do I Love Thee ” is all about the theme of love.

Themes in Literature: Love in “How Do I Love Thee”

Browning’s poem is a sonnet , which is a 14-line poem that often centers around love and relationships. Sonnets have different requirements depending on their form, but between lines 6-8, they all have a volta —a surprising line that twists and expands the poem’s meaning.

Let’s analyze three things related to the poem’s theme: its word choice, its use of simile and metaphor , and its volta.

Word Choice: Take a look at the words used to describe love. What do those words mean? What are their connotations? Here’s a brief list: “soul,” “ideal grace,” “quiet need,” “sun and candle-light,” “strive for right,” “passion,” “childhood’s faith,” “the breath, smiles, tears, of all my life,” “God,” “love thee better after death.”

These words and phrases all bear positive connotations, and many of them evoke images of warmth, safety, and the hearth. Even phrases that are morose, such as “lost saints” and “death,” are used as contrasts to further highlight the speaker’s wholehearted rejoicing of love. This word choice suggests an endless, benevolent, holistic, all-consuming love.

Simile and Metaphor: Similes and metaphors are comparison statements, and the poem routinely compares love to different objects and ideas. Here’s a list of those comparisons:

The speaker loves thee:

• To the depths of her soul.
• By sun and candle light—by day and night.
• As men strive to do the right thing (freely).
• As men turn from praise (purely).
• With the passion of both grief and faith.
• With the breath, smiles, and tears of her entire life.
• Now in life, and perhaps even more after death.

The speaker’s love seems to have infinite reach, flooding every aspect of her life. It consumes her soul, her everyday activities, her every emotion, her sense of justice and humility, and perhaps her afterlife, too. For the speaker, this love is not just an emotion, an activity, or an ideology: it’s her existence.

Volta: The volta of a sonnet occurs in the poem’s center. In this case, the volta is the lines “I love thee freely, as men strive for right. / I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.”

What surprising, unexpected comparisons! To the speaker, love is freedom and the search for a greater good; it is also as pure as humility. By comparing love to other concepts, the speaker reinforces the fact that love isn’t just an ideology, it’s an ideal that she strives for in every word, thought, and action.

“Theme” is part of a broader hierarchy of ideas. While the theme of a story encompasses its central ideas, the writer also expresses these ideas through different devices.

You may have heard of some of these devices: motif, moral, topic, etc. What is motif vs theme? What is theme vs moral? These ideas interact with each other in different ways, which we’ve mapped out below.

Theme vs Topic

The “topic” of a piece of literature answers the question: What is this piece about? In other words, “topic” is what actually happens in the story or poem.

You’ll find a lot of overlap between topic and theme examples. Love, for instance, is both the topic and the theme of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem “How Do I Love Thee.”

The difference between theme vs topic is: topic describes the surface level content matter of the piece, whereas theme encompasses the work’s apparent argument about the topic.

Topic describes the surface level content matter of the piece, whereas theme encompasses the work’s apparent argument about the topic.

So, the topic of Browning’s poem is love, while the theme is the speaker’s belief that her love is endless, pure, and all-consuming.

Additionally, the topic of a piece of literature is definitive, whereas the theme of a story or poem is interpretive. Every reader can agree on the topic, but many readers will have different interpretations of the theme. If the theme weren’t open-ended, it would simply be a topic.

Theme vs Motif

A motif is an idea that occurs throughout a literary work. Think of the motif as a facet of the theme: it explains, expands, and contributes to themes in literature. Motif develops a central idea without being the central idea itself .

Motif develops a central idea without being the central idea itself.

In Animal Farm , for example, we encounter motif when Napoleon the pig starts walking like a human. This represents the corrupting force of power, because Napoleon has become as much of a despot as Mr. Jones, the previous owner of the farm. Napoleon’s anthropomorphization is not the only example of power and corruption, but it is a compelling motif about the dangers of unchecked power.

Theme vs Moral

The moral of a story refers to the story’s message or takeaway. What can we learn from thinking about a specific piece of literature?

The moral is interpreted from the theme of a story or poem. Like theme, there is no single correct interpretation of a story’s moral: the reader is left to decide how to interpret the story’s meaning and message.

For example, in Hemingway’s “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place,” the theme is loneliness, but the moral isn’t quite so clear—that’s for the reader to decide. My interpretation is that we should be much more sympathetic towards the lonely, since loneliness is a quiet affliction that many lonely people cannot express.

Great literature does not tell us what to think, it gives us stories to think about.

However, my interpretation could be miles away from yours, and that’s wonderful! Great literature does not tell us what to think, it gives us stories to think about, and the more we discuss our thoughts and interpretations, the more we learn from each other.

The theme of a story affects everything else: the decisions that characters make, the mood that words and images build, the moral that readers interpret, etc. Recognizing how writers utilize various themes in literature will help you craft stronger, more nuanced works of prose and poetry .

“To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme.” —Herman Melville

Whether a writer consciously or unconsciously decides the themes of their work, theme in literature acts as an organizing principle for the work as a whole. For writers, theme is especially useful to think about in the process of revision: if some element of your poem or story doesn’t point towards a central idea, it’s a sign that the work is not yet finished. 

Moreover, literary themes give the work  stakes . They make the work stand for something. Remember that our theme definition is an idea plus an opinion. Without that opinion element, a work of literature simply won’t stand for anything, because it is presenting ideas in the abstract without giving you something to react to. The theme of a story or poem is never just “love” or “justice,” it’s the author’s particular spin and insight on those themes. This is what makes a work of literature compelling or evocative. Without theme, literature has no center of gravity, and all the words and characters and plot points are just floating in the ether. 

Should I Decide the Theme of a Story or Poem in Advance?

You can, though of course it depends on the actual story you want to tell. Some writers certainly start with a theme. You might decide you want to write a story about themes like love, family, justice, gender roles, the environment, or the pursuit of revenge.

From there, you can build everything else: plot points, characters, conflicts, etc. Examining themes in literature can help you generate some strong story ideas !

Nonetheless, theme is not the only way to approach a creative writing project. Some writers start with plot, others with character, others with conflicts, and still others with just a vague notion of what the story might be about. You might not even realize the themes in your work until after you finish writing it.

You certainly want your work to have a message, but deciding what that message is in advance might actually hinder your writing process. Many writers use their poems and stories as opportunities to explore tough questions, or to arrive at a deeper insight on a topic. In other words, you can start your work with ideas, and even opinions on those ideas, but don’t try to shoehorn a story or poem into your literary themes. Let the work explore those themes. If you can surprise yourself or learn something new from the writing process, your readers will certainly be moved as well. 

So, experiment with ideas and try different ways of writing. You don’t have think about the theme of a story right away—but definitely give it some thought when you start revising your work!

Develop Great Themes at Writers.com

As writers, it’s hard to know how our work will be viewed and interpreted. Writing in a community can help. Whether you join our Facebook group or enroll in one of our upcoming courses , we have the tools and resources to sharpen your writing.

Sean Glatch

18 comments.

Sean Glatch,Thank you very much for your discussion on themes. It was enlightening and brought clarity to an abstract and sometimes difficult concept to explain and illustrate. The sample stories and poem were appreciated too as they are familiar to me. High School Language Arts Teacher

Hi Stephanie, I’m so glad this was helpful! Happy teaching 🙂

Wow!!! This is the best resource on the subject of themes that I have ever encountered and read on the internet. I just bookmarked it and plan to use it as a resource for my teaching. Thank you very much for publishing this valuable resource.

Hi Marisol,

Thank you for the kind words! I’m glad to hear this article will be a useful resource. Happy teaching!

Warmest, Sean

builders beams bristol

What is Theme? A Look at 20 Common Themes in Literature | writers.com

Hello! This is a very informative resource. Thank you for sharing.

farrow and ball pigeon

This presentation is excellent and of great educational value. I will employ it already in my thesis research studies.

John Never before communicated with you!

Brilliant! Thank you.

[…] THE MOST COMMON THEMES IN LITERATURE […]

marvellous. thumbs up

Thank you. Very useful information.

found everything in themes. thanks. so much

In college I avoided writing classes and even quit a class that would focus on ‘Huck Finn’ for the entire semester. My idea of hell. However, I’ve been reading and learning from the writers.com articles, and I want to especially thank Sean Glatch who writes in a way that is useful to aspiring writers like myself.

You are very welcome, Anne! I’m glad that these resources have been useful on your writing journey.

Thank you very much for this clear and very easy to understand teaching resources.

Hello there. I have a particular question.

Can you describe the exact difference of theme, issue and subject?

I get confused about these.

I love how helpful this is i will tell my class about it!

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What is Theme? Definition, Examples of Theme in Literature

Home » The Writer’s Dictionary » What is Theme? Definition, Examples of Theme in Literature

Definition of theme: The theme of a literary work is a salient abstract idea that emerges from the treatment of its subject matter. Common themes are love, war, deceit, revenge, fate, destiny, etc .

What Does Theme Mean in Literature?

What is a theme in literature? A theme is a message or abstract idea that emerges from a literary work’s treatment of its subject matter.

The theme differs from the subject itself. The subject of a work can be described in concrete terms, usually through actions.

For example,

• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

The subject matter is Huckleberry Finn’s adventures. The theme, however, is more of an abstract idea. The primary theme of Huck Finn, for example, is the conflict between civilization and natural life.

Theme vs. Subject

Example of Theme:

• Theme = Coming of Age.
• Subject Matter = A newcomers difficulties in moving from a small town to the big city.
• Explanation: The theme coming of age will explore the growing pains adolescents are likely to experience in the world. The subject matter for our hypothetical literary work is someone who recently moved from a small town to “the big city.”
• Theme = Pride.
• Subject Matter = The struggles of varsity football players to work together.
• Thematic Statement = It is important to maintain a balance between pride and humbleness because too much self-confidence can be destructive.
• Explanation = In this example, we see the author’s opinion regarding the theme of pride and how it relates to the work’s subject matter.

The thematic statement of a work is rarely said explicitly. Instead, people interpret it through characters, actions, and events within a book.

Thematic Concept vs. Thematic Statement

A thematic statement , however, can be read to be more of an argument about that concept. In an essay, a thematic statement would be called your thesis statement.

• Theme / Thematic Concept = Freedom.
• Thematic Statement = Freedom should be extended to all citizens of the world.

As you can see, the theme of freedom is abstract and broad, and it doesn’t have a thesis statement. The thematic statement of a work, however, will make a claim about this concept. Think of the thematic statement as being an opinion held by the author about the theme itself.

In our example above, the theme is freedom , and the thematic statement is freedom should be extended to all citizens of the world .

There are also central themes and minor themes in literary works, which are just as they sound.

• Central theme = the central or main message of a literary work.
• Minor themes = other, less important messages of a literary work.

Examples of Theme in Literature

• In Paulo Choelo’s novel, The Alchemist , the author explores the subject of fate through a person’s dreams. His thematic statement regarding dreams is that one should always follow his heart and pursue his dreams at any cost.
• In William Blake’s poem, The Poison Tree , the author explores the theme of anger. The thematic statement of the poem is if anger is not dealt with, the feeling will intensify and eventually leads to destruction.

Define theme in literature: In summation, the theme is an idea or concept that a literary work explores: love, despair, honor, etc .

The author explores the theme through the subject matter of his or her work, and when telling the story, arrives at some kind of thematic statement.

Here is a final example of theme found in the short story “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry.

In “The Gift of the Magi,” Henry conveys the message that love is more important than material possessions.

• Theme: Love, charity, sacrifice.
• Subject matter: Young couple struggling financially during Christmas.
• Thematic Statement: Love is more important than material possessions.

• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Use Themes

I. What is Theme?

One of the first questions to ask upon hearing someone has written a story is, “What’s it about?” or “What’s the point?” Short answers may range from love to betrayal or from the coming of age to the haziness of memory. The central idea, topic, or point of a story, essay, or narrative is its theme .

II. Examples of Theme

A man, fueled by an urge for power and control due to his own pride, builds a supercomputer. That supercomputer then takes over the world, causing chaos and struggle galore.

This sci-fi style story contains many common themes. A few of its themes include:

• Danger of excessive pride
• The risky relationship between humankind and developing technology

A boy and a girl fall in love. The boy is forced to join the army and fights to survive in a war-torn country as his beloved waits at home. When he returns from war, the two are united and married.

The love story also has many common themes in literature:

• The power of true love
• Fate, which sometimes tears lovers apart and then joins them together

As can be seen from these examples, themes can range widely from ideas, as large as love and war, to others as specific as the relationship between humankind and technology.

III. Types of Theme

Just as a life is not constantly immersed in love, the pursuit of knowledge, or the struggle of the individual versus society, themes are not always constantly present in a story or composition. Rather, they weave in and out, can disappear entirely, or appear surprisingly mid-read. This is because there are two types of themes: major and minor themes.

a. Major Themes

Major themes are, just as they sound, the more important and enduring themes of the narrative. Major themes are the most significant themes of the story, and often they are a part of the entire story. A book on war would have the major theme of war’s effect on humanity, whereas a romance novel would have the major theme of love.

b. Minor Themes

Minor themes are, on the other hand, less important and less enduring. They may appear for part of the narrative only to be replaced by another minor theme later in the narrative. They provide discussion points for a chapter or two, but do not color the entire story. A book on war may have minor themes such as the home front’s reaction to war or the political aspects of war. A romance novel may have minor themes such as flirtation, marriage, and fidelity.

IV. The Importance of Using Theme

The importance of using theme in narrative is unparalleled. The theme is the underlining idea an author is trying to convey to an audience. A story without major ideas for the character and reader to experience, think through, and learn from is not a story at all. A story, by its very nature, must have a theme, sometimes many major and minor themes, all throughout. Themes are the ideas book clubs, poets, playwrights, literature students, film enthusiasts, movie-makers, and creative writers mull over in-depth. They are the meaning behind the entire story, the deeper reasons that the story has been written and shared.

V. Examples of Theme in Literature

Theme is a prominent element in literature. Here are a few examples of theme in poetry and prose:

“i carry your heart with me(i carry it in)” by E. E. Cummings:

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)i am never without it(anywhere i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling)                                                       i fear no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true) and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you   here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide) and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart   i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

This poem’s major theme is clear: love. Minor themes include fate, togetherness, and desire.

Atonement by Ian McEwan is an example of a novel whose theme is its title. Here are a few revealing excerpts:

How can a novelist achieve atonement when, with her absolute power of deciding outcomes, she is also God? There is no one, no entity or higher form that she can appeal to, or be reconciled with, or that can forgive There is nothing outside her. In her imagination she has set the limits and the terms. No atonement for God, or novelists, even if they are atheists. It was always an impossible task, and that was precisely the point. The attempt was all.

This section reveals the main theme of atonement along with other minor themes such as the life of the writer and forgiveness.

VI. Examples of Theme in Pop Culture

Just as literary narratives require themes, songs, movies, and television shows do as well. Here are a few examples of theme in pop culture:

The trailer shows that the main theme of Godzilla is nature, as a powerful and destructive force to be reckoned with. Other themes include the human effect on nature, fear of the unknown, and hubris.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

The main theme of this movie is positivity in the face of a bad day, as they happen to all of us. Other themes include family, perseverance, and love.

VII. Related Terms

Because themes encompass main ideas in a narrative, they have many similar elements which do similar things for a narrative. Here are a few examples:

“And the moral of the story is…” As many fables and tales go, morals are a necessary element. They are the main message or lesson to be learned from reading a cautionary story. Although themes and morals are both major ideas in a story, they are different in that themes do not necessarily serve to teach a lesson, whereas morals always do. A theme is simply an idea to be examined, whereas a moral is a clear lesson to be learned. Here is an example of theme versus moral:

Love others the way you would like to be loved.

Whereas the theme is simply an idea, the moral is a message and instruction.

Motifs work in a story to emphasize the theme, and for this reason, is sometimes confused with the theme. Motifs are recurring images, objects, or ideas that highlight the theme. Here is one example of how motif works with theme:

A man is struggling with regret throughout a story. Motifs like dark dreams, repetitive thoughts, and dark lighting emphasize the mood and pervasiveness of the regret.

Whereas the theme is a larger idea, the motifs are smaller elements of a story which repeat in order to reflect that idea.

VIII. In Closing

Themes are the ideas that run through narratives, enlivening them with deeper meaning to be found in real life and fiction alike. They create stories that are not dull but compelling and emotional.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

What is Theme in Literature?

Before you can think about teaching or analyzing theme, it’s essential to understand what it is (and isn’t), why it’s used, and how to identify themes in a text. Consider this article your one-stop-shop for understanding theme.

Theme Definition

A theme is a central idea or underlying message in a piece of literature that ties together various textual elements. Every work of literature has at least one theme to serve as an overarching message, offering readers insights into the author’s commentary on life, society, or human nature.

Themes explore universal concepts such as love, power, identity, or justice. Therefore, while a theme applies to a particular work of literature, it also speaks to the general human experience, creating a bridge between literature and the real world.

Theme Pronunciation

Theme is a one-syllable word pronounced with a long “e.”

Here’s how to pronounce theme: theem

What are the Different Types of Theme?

While all themes reflect a universal topic, there are two forms of theme: thematic topics and thematic statements .

• A thematic topic is the broader concept or abstract idea explored and developed throughout a literary work. These are general concepts that are often universal and can be applied to various situations. Thematic topics are often represented in a single word, such as love or power.
• A thematic statement is more specific, providing clear insight that expresses the author’s commentary on the topic. These statements offer more perspective on a broader theme within the context of the story while still leaving room for real-world application. Examples include, “The pursuit of power corrupts individuals, blinding them to the ethical consequences of their actions” and “Love conquers all.”

Essentially, themes are broader and overarching, while thematic statements offer a clearer statement that reflects the author’s perspective or the message they want readers to take away from a literary work.

What it’s NOT: Theme vs. Main Idea

It’s easy to confuse a story’s theme with its main idea. While these two concepts are similar, there are some key differences between theme and main idea to be aware of.

A main idea refers to what a text is about, summarizing the overarching concept of a paragraph, passage, chapter, or entire text. These statements include specific details about a particular piece of literature and are often explicitly stated or easily supported with concrete details from the text.

On the other hand, a theme refers to a more universal and abstract message that an author is revealing through a piece of literature. Themes consistently show up throughout a text, working to emphasize a deeper meaning that reflects an author’s commentary on a particular idea. While readers must rely on details and literary elements to reveal a text’s theme, their universal nature allows readers to apply the concept to the world beyond the pages.

What is the Purpose of Theme in a Story?

Authors use themes to explore intricate or abstract ideas about the human experience in their writing. As a result, they can infuse their works with complexity and depth, allowing readers to engage with the text on multiple levels.

In some ways, themes give stories their meaning. While literary elements such as plot, conflict, setting, character, and tone help tell a story, themes reveal the bigger picture beyond the narrative itself. Therefore, themes help establish a bridge of relevance between the literary work and the real world, empowering students to make connections with a text and think more critically about its broader message.

Due to their universal nature, themes give literature the power to hold enduring significance through time, allowing generations of readers to analyze, enjoy, and extract meaning from a single text.

How to Identify Theme in a Story

The challenge with identifying a text’s theme(s) is that they are not usually explicitly stated, requiring readers to make inferences , identify patterns, uncover underlying messages, and interpret the author’s overarching commentary or perspective. Therefore, identifying themes in literature requires close reading and critical thinking.

Follow the steps below to identify and analyze a theme in literature: 

1. Seek Out Patterns and Reoccurring Symbols

Authors rely on meaningful patterns, called motifs, and recurring symbolism, including characters, objects, or images, to reveal a more profound message. Note any words or phrases, patterns, or symbols that appear repeatedly throughout a text and consider how they represent abstract concepts or reinforce a central idea.

2. Pay Attention to Character

Paying attention to characterization , including what a character says, thinks, and does, can reveal an author’s overall message. Consider characters’ motivations, conflicts, and changes throughout the story, analyzing how their experiences contribute to the overall message the author is conveying about human nature, society, or life.

Use my free STEAL chart to keep track of characterization .

3. Consider Conflict and Resolution

Conflicts can reveal more than a point of tension in a story. By analyzing a text’s central conflicts and resolutions, readers can gain perspective on the theme. While the conflict helps establish the thematic topic, the resolution often provides valuable insights into the author’s commentary.

4. Analyze Mood and Tone

Analyze the nuances of an author’s language choices and their impact on the narrative, paying attention to how diction elicits specific emotions for the reader. Paying attention to the tone and mood ( and the feelings that go with them) plays a pivotal role in revealing an author’s perspective and underlying messages within a text.

5. Note Contrasts and Irony

Look for instances of contrast in a story, especially moments of irony where the narrative contradicts the reader’s expectations. Authors often use these literary devices to highlight thematic elements by challenging readers’ assumptions, leading to a deeper understanding of the theme.

6. Determine the Author’s Purpose

Consider the bigger picture beyond the pages. Reflect on why the author wrote the work and the messages they may want to convey. By considering a narrative’s historical, cultural, or social context, the reader can gain valuable insight into the intended themes.

Tips for Teaching Theme

• Identify Concrete Details First: Start by encouraging students to identify concrete details in a text before diving into abstract themes. Analyzing specific information provides a solid foundation of understanding before jumping to thematic conclusions.
• Scaffold as Needed: Recognize that theme analysis is an abstract and complex task. Break down the steps, offer guidance, and provide additional help or resources to support students in building their analytical skills.
• Start with Short Stories: Begin theme exploration with short stories to reduce overwhelm and build confidence in thematic analysis. The concentrated nature of more concise narratives allows students to hone their skills before tackling longer works.
• Use Anticipation Guides: Use anticipation guides as a pre-reading activity to activate students’ prior knowledge about potential themes. This strategy initiates critical thinking around thematic concepts before diving into the nuances of a text.
• Keep Students Organized: Encourage students to keep notes, utilize graphic organizers, or use tools like concept maps to keep their thoughts in order. This helps them track evidence, connections, and interpretations as they explore themes in a text.
• Remind Students to Use Evidence: Teach students to support their abstract themes with concrete evidence. Emphasize the significance of quoting specific lines or passages from the text to validate their analysis.
• Be Flexible: Remember, interpretation plays a significant role in literary analysis. As long as students can support their thematic claims with textual evidence, give them space to explore their thoughts and perspectives—even if they don’t match your own.

Examples of Theme in Literature

1. the theme of guilt in “the tell-tale heart” by edgar alan poe.

A prominent theme in “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe is the theme of guilt and the psychological effects of a guilty conscience . After murdering his neighbor, the unnamed narrator is haunted by the memories of the old man and the constant sound of his beating heart. The noise serves as one of the story’s main symbols of the narrator’s psyche as he slips into madness, revealing the inescapable nature of his guilt.

Throughout the short story, Poe explores the psychological weight of guilt through the unraveling of the narrator’s thoughts and actions, showcasing the effect of a guilty conscience. While Poe’s commentary certainly applies to the story, it causes readers to consider the real-life consequences of guilt and wrongdoing .

2. The theme of power and corruption in “Animal Farm” by George Orwell

As an allegory to the Russian Revolution of 1917, George Orwell’s “Animal Farm ” explores the theme of power and corruption as a group of farm animals rebel against their human oppressors. While the animals are initially motivated by the pursuit of equality and justice, they quickly find themselves in the midst of a power struggle that leads to corrupt leadership amongst themselves.

The theme is clearly illustrated through characters such as Napoleon, who initially represents the ideas behind the revolution. However, over time, he and the other pigs succumb to the allure of power. The motif of the pigs’ gradual transformation into oppressive leaders and the evolving language of the commandments reinforce the theme of power and corruption in the narrative, creating a cautionary tale about unchecked authority and how those in power can use manipulation to maintain control .

3. The theme of tradition in “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson

Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” expresses her profound commentary on the dangers of conformity by exploring the dark consequences of mindlessly following tradition. The story is set in a small pastoral town as they prepare for their annual lottery, where the “winner” is stoned to death by the community, including their family and neighbors.

While horrifying to readers, the townspeople are seemingly unphased by the dark and gruesome tradition. Jackson hints at the story’s theme using symbols, characters, and motifs throughout the story. Everything from the townspeople’s passive participation in the ritual without question to the splintered black box used for picking names emphasizes how everything about the lottery is rooted in how things have always been done. As a result, Jackson skillfully crafted a cautionary tale about the dangers of blindly following societal norms and traditions without reevaluating their moral and ethical implications.

More examples of theme in classic and popular literature:

• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald explores themes of the American Dream and how the relentless pursuit of wealth and social status often results in moral decay and unfulfilled aspirations.
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins dives into themes of survival and societal inequality , positioning Katniss Everdeen as a symbol of hope and resistance against oppressive forces.
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee explores themes of racial prejudice and social justice , highlighting the importance of empathy in the face of systemic inequality.
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling highlights the battle between good and evil , emphasizing the importance of resilience and standing up against dark forces.
• Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare explores the theme of fate , and regardless of Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other, they are “star-crossed lovers”  trapped by their doomed fate.

Additional Resources for Teaching Theme

Save time by using my done-for-you lesson plan for introducing theme .

Read this post for more tips on teaching theme using short stories .

Engage your students in an exploration of theme with the following videos:

• Review themes in popular Pixar films
• Explore side-by-side examples of 10 universal themes
• Introduce theme with a detailed breakdown

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Literary Devices

Literary devices, terms, and elements, definition of theme, thematic concept vs. thematic statement, common examples of theme, significance of theme in literature, examples of theme in literature.

IAGO: Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on.

( Othello by William Shakespeare)

In the end the Party would announce that two and two made five, and you would have to believe it. It was inevitable that they should make that claim sooner or later: the logic of their position demanded it. Not merely the validity of experience, but the very existence of external reality was tacitly denied by their philosophy.

( 1984 by George Orwell)

The gypsy was inclined to stay in the town. He really had been through death, but he had returned because he could not bear the solitude.

JOHN PROCTOR: Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name!

( The Crucible by Arthur Miller)

Arthur Miller wrote his play The Crucible as a response to the scare tactics of the McCarthy era. As he saw his friends and peers being labeled as communists and blacklisted, Miller turned to the Salem witch-hunt as a model to artistically address the situation. One of the key themes both during the McCarthy era and in The Crucible is reputation and “having a good name.” At the end of the play, John Proctor refuses to admit to witchcraft to save his life. When asked why, he gives an impassioned speech about the importance of reputation, considering it even more important than life itself.

Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all those who live without love.

Test Your Knowledge of Theme

Why they came East I don’t know. They had spent a year in France for no particular reason, and then drifted here and there unrestfully wherever people played polo and were rich together.

“Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”

I lived at West Egg, the – well, the least fashionable of the two, though this is a most superficial tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them.

A. Boredom B. Wealth and class C. Resentment [spoiler title=”Answer to Question #2″] Answer: B is the correct answer.[/spoiler]

When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness’ sake. But don’t make a production of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults, and evasion simply muddles ’em.

After my bout with Cecil Jacobs when I committed myself to a policy of cowardice, word got around that Scout Finch wouldn’t fight any more, her daddy wouldn’t let her. This was not entirely correct: I wouldn’t fight publicly for Atticus, but the family was private ground.

First of all,” he said, “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view […] until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”

[spoiler title=”Answer to Question #3″] Answer: C is the correct answer.[/spoiler]

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Last updated on Jun 30, 2021

What Is the Theme of a Story? Definition and Mistakes to Avoid

About the author.

Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books.

About Martin Cavannagh

Head of Content at Reedsy, Martin has spent over eight years helping writers turn their ambitions into reality. As a voice in the indie publishing space, he has written for a number of outlets and spoken at conferences, including the 2024 Writers Summit at the London Book Fair.

A theme is, broadly speaking, a story's central idea: a concept that underpins its narrative. Theme can either be a definitive message like, “greed is the greatest force in human culture,” or abstract ideas like love, loss, or betrayal.

As a writer, it’s helpful to stay conscious of your story’s themes to equip yourself with a compass to show you what’s important in your story. This will guide you toward creating moments that engage readers and deepen your story’s significance — so let’s take a look at why themes are important and how you can tell what a story’s theme is.

Themes make specific stories universal

All stories are about the human condition. Characters are bound by common universal truths of humanity.

Sayaka Murata’s Convenience Store Woman may not at first seem like an entirely relatable book. Its protagonist is someone who grounds her entire identity and purpose in being a convenience store worker — to the point where she wishes society accepted that as her ultimate aspiration and stopped pressuring her to date and get married. 

I wished I was back in the convenience store where I was valued as a working member of staff and things weren’t as complicated as this. 

While Murata's story is peculiar, the central conflict of her story (individual vs. society) is universal. It should resonate with most readers, making them more invested in the protagonist’s struggles, even if they don't share her specific experiences.

Authors can tackle complex ideas through narrative

Sometimes, the theme of a book will take the form of a hypothesis where the story plays out as a “what if” experiment. Here, authors have the chance to use characters as imagined case studies of human behavior, examining, for example, how different people react to the same events . 

William Golding’s Lord of the Flies takes human morality as its central theme. It focuses on a group of boys stranded on an island and forced to fend for themselves. The children soon create their own micro-society on an island, with power structures, internal politics, and, eventually, violence. In short, the novel's thematic statement — its hypothesis — might be “If isolated from society, human beings would not act ‘morally’ anymore.” 

By showing each character’s slightly different experience and perception of events, Golding explores how complex “morality” is — contrasting his characters' desire to conform with their sense of behaving correctly. In this way, the complexity of morality becomes the book’s organizing force, the central source of tension that propels the story forward.

A theme can organize and unite separate narrative strands

Not all books have a very tight focus on a single character or mission. Many novels and anthologies contain multiple, seemingly unrelated narratives or perspectives  united only by common themes.

James Joyce's Dubliners is made up of fifteen short stories, each set in the Irish capital in the early 20th century. His characters are all, in some way, touch by a sense of social paralysis or futility — something that readers have taken to be representative of Joyce's view on Ireland at the time. And as we meet more of these characters — the schoolboy obsessed with his friend's sister, the unfulfilled poet who's jealous of his old classmate, the bank teller who spurns the chaste affections of a married woman — this sense of stagnation and dread only grows.

Much like a music album will have a central concept that elevates it above being the sum of its parts, so too can themes connect disparate story strands in meaningful, insightful ways.

It can be hard to pin down what a story’s theme is, but if you're up to the task, here's a quiz to test your theme-detecting skills with! 🕵️

Test your theme-detecting skills!

See if you can identify five themes from five questions. Takes 30 seconds!

We hope we’ve shown you how indispensable story themes are. They’re much more than just a fun trick — stories simply are not the same without them.

In the next part of this series, we reveal some of the most common themes found in literature. When you're ready, let's continue our journey.

9 responses

Dennis Fleming says:

25/07/2017 – 16:08

Succinct and accurate. You put these ideas (theme, story, plot) into perspective for me. I wonder how you'd look at character (his or her motivations, reactions, dialogue) and how the idea of character is spread across these aspects of the novel.

PJ Reece says:

25/07/2017 – 17:29

Thanks -- theme is rarely spoken of. I'd only like to add a word of warning about starting a story with theme. The stories usually suck. They're preachy, awkward, self-conscious. Gives me the heebie-jeebies just thinking about it. But a good story will always contain a theme, even if it takes an independent reader to identify it. A good editor can guide the author into a rewrite based on the theme that has emerged in the story. That's why I love the rewrite phase -- meaning miraculous shows itself.

↪️ Reedsy replied:

25/07/2017 – 18:08

I'd largely agree with you. The human story feels like it should always take pride of place, as that's what the reader will latch on to — however, there are occasions where great books take a macro idea and then find stories illustrate the author's ideas. Thanks for reading!

ATinchini says:

29/07/2017 – 01:15

Usually I discover my theme during the outlining process. I start by describing the MC's life and his moment of conflict, what unleashes his journey and mission. When I describe the MC and one or two other characters, I get a hint of the theme, but I can only see it clearly while writing the early chapters of the first draft.

Rachael says:

30/07/2017 – 03:23

This is a wonderfully informative article, and it also helped me realize something about myself in regards to my writing and who I am as a person--a surprising and exhilarating thing to experience! Thinking back on my own writing, I recognized that the stories that mattered most to me were all exploring the same couple of emotions--and so is my current work in progress. Illuminating!

31/07/2017 – 10:57

Glad you found it helpful!

Al Pessin says:

01/08/2017 – 20:33

Many thanks for your interesting and useful article. I have one quibble. You name theme as (among others) “obsession and vengeance” and “role models and hero worship.” But it seems to me those are the subjects or issues addressed in the books, not the themes. For me, the theme is what the book says about those issues, and therefore pretty much has to have a verb, e.g. “obsession with vengeance destroys the vengeful” or “hero worship is dangerous.” That’s what the author is trying to say. The classic theme “man’s inhumanity to man” does not have a verb, but does imply a value judgement – inhumanity is assumed to be a bad thing. But even here, one can imagine a dystopian novel in which the theme could be “man’s inhumanity to man is necessary for the survival of humanity” in which the population is culled in a future of shortages or due to limited seating on space transport to a new planet when the Earth is about to be destroyed. It’s important for authors to know what they’re writing about, ideally before they start, and certainly before they finish. But I think they need to identify (for themselves) with a fair amount of specificity what it is they want to say about that subject, and write their story accordingly. Thanks again for the article.

Runesmith says:

07/09/2017 – 10:28

Several times I've had a theme emerge: my first novel was supposed to be just a post-apocalyptic adventure, but turned into an exploration of the practicality of pacifism. But if that happens you need to go back and integrate the theme you've discovered into the whole of the writing. And I completely disagree with your view of "Lord of the Flies". It's right there in the title: the boys are not corrupted by the emerging power structure, but by their wild natures, which Golding gives a voice in Simon's delirium before the pig's head. Jack's dominance is just a symptom.

Elizabeth says:

15/11/2019 – 08:27

Valuable information as always. Thank you.

Comments are currently closed.

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What is Theme? Definition & Examples of Theme in Literature

by Fija Callaghan

Often scholars will talk about theme in literature like it’s this highbrow, deeply intellectual feat of narrative engineering hiding between the lines of a novel or collection of poetry. “Theme,” they say, delicately sipping hundred-year-old brandy from crystal glasses, “is the intentional and philosophical confluence of story archetypes to convey a groundbreaking, politically or socially relevant ideal.” And you nod eagerly in agreement, because you would also like to try some hundred-year-old brandy.

Writers, on the other hand, will often talk about theme like it’s a clumsy animal that has somehow wandered into your story and, having proven itself to be only a minimal nuisance and actually kind of cute, has been allowed to stay and build itself a nest somewhere between your Midpoint and the first major plot point of Act Three .

Really, theme can be both of these things and more. Let’s look at what theme is in literature, how a strong theme can elevate a story, and how to discover the themes already brewing in your own work.

What is theme in literature?

Theme is the broad central idea supporting any narrative work. The work can be a novel, a short story, a poem, or even something like a song or visual art. In a story, each choice made by your characters and each turn of events will support this core underlying theme which you’re trying to convey to your readers.

Any medium that tells a story will have this underlying message—whether it was put there painstakingly by the artist layer by layer, or whether it grew organically from their unconscious experience as they created their literary work.

Literary themes can be concepts like redemption, sacrifice, true love, or family. Storytelling in particular has an enormous range of tools from which to draw themes, like setting, imagery, metaphor , conflict , and—most importantly of all— character . It’s through character that your readers will experience the underlying meaning of your story and come away with a new understanding.

Which comes first—theme or plot?

A question as old as the written word: Is it better to start with a meaningful theme or an engaging plot ? Do you choose a thematic concept and then build your story around it, or do you draft your story and then see what theme emerges? What if you have a story in mind but you don’t even know what the theme is?

Theme and plot are intertwined; neither one comes first, but rather they’re developed together. The moment you have an idea for a story, the theme of that story is already being born. The more you learn about the characters, motivations, and events of your story, the clearer its theme will become.

Writing a story is equal parts art, craft, and intuition. Theme is something that tends to reside in the latter category. While your cognitive mind is exploring roads of possibility in your plot, setting, and characters, your subconscious will be constantly reaching out and searching for deeper meaning in these things.

Ask yourself: Why is this story important? Why is this story happening here , now ? Who are the people in this story, and why do they matter to me? That’s theme at work.

Why does theme matter in storytelling?

Okay but do I need a theme? Isn’t it enough to have a fun story and a lovable hero and a dastardly villain and a happily ever after at the end of it?

Well, yes, but even the simplest of universal tales will have some sort of theme bubbling under the surface. Every story needs to communicate something with the reader.

This will usually be the same main idea that’s driving your protagonist towards their goal. It might be a simple developmental ideal such as the overt central morals in Aesop’s fables, or it might be a larger, more complex exploration of multi-faceted issues that we’re still facing in the world today (we’ll look at some theme examples of these later on).

Crafting a literary theme that resonates with readers on a deep, visceral level will help them feel connected to your characters and invested in what those characters are fighting for. A vibrant, engaging theme in a work of literature has the power to affect real change and make readers look at the world in a new way.

Classic themes in literature

Because stories are so universal, we’ll often see the same central themes being repeated over and over in different works. This doesn’t mean the stories that share these central ideas are unoriginal; rather, it means that they speak to deep universal truths that we all recognize and resonate with. That’s why we return to those stories again and again.

Most of these common themes will fall under two categories: one central idea, or a contrast or conflict between two opposing principles.

Here are some common themes in literature that you can explore in your own writing.

Love is something that we all recognize regardless of our background, language, age, class, ability, or understanding of the world. Love is the greatest unifier of the human species, and it can be as bright and empowering as it can be terrible.

Many works of literature deal with the theme of love, but Romeo and Juliet is one famous story in which the author explores the intensity and destructive qualities of undying love.

We most often associate love with romantic relationships, but focusing on love as a theme in your own work can also look at the deep, soulful love between two best friends, or even the journey towards discovering love for yourself.

Many of us have been betrayed in our lives by people we thought we could trust, whether that’s a friend, a family member, a partner, or someone we knew professionally. Just as antagonists are rarely single-faceted, betrayal is usually a very complex thing that can come from a wide range of different motivations.

What one person sees as betrayal might feel like a natural progression to another, and so this theme can be useful for exploring the complexity of human needs and desires. Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a famous work of literature that deals with strong themes of betrayal.

The theme of rebirth has figured into the mythological cycles of a variety of cultures, most famously the rebirth of Christ in the Christian bible.

On a microcosmic level, we often see rebirth as a dawn of hope and opportunity after a devastating experience such as a divorce, a failure, or the loss of a loved one. On a deep psychological level, we like to believe that there can be hope for us even when we ourselves have become lost.

There are many stories of rebirth, but Charles Dickens’ famous holiday piece A Christmas Carol explores the rebirth of its protagonist after a lifetime of avarice and misery.

Modern popular culture has seen a huge resurgence in redemptive character arcs, most famously in “anti-hero” type characters . There is something so satisfying about watching a rascally ne’er-do-well make mistakes, learn from them, and grow into someone we wouldn’t be embarrassed to introduce to our mothers.

Much like rebirth, redemption comes from a place of hope—the idea that there’s always room to grow, and that anyone can find the will to do better. Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables is a famous novel that uses this thematic concept to create a dynamic character arc.

For many of us, our relationships with our families are quite complex. And yet, the bond between family members is a very universal idea that can teach us a lot about other cultures, generations, and ways of life.

The relationship we have with our families can also teach us a lot about ourselves, and so this theme is very useful for character-driven stories and novels.

The Book Thief , a novel by Markus Zusak, explores our connection to our blood families as well as the families we build around us.

Prejudice has always been a major societal issue, and those issues are being brought into new light. Prejudice can be found through race, class, and ability both in literature and in the world around us. For this reason, art of all kinds is a powerful tool in fighting against these poisonous ideas and helping people understand them in a new way.

The novel Such a Fun Age , by Kiley Reid, is one of many powerful works that explore themes of racial and class-driven prejudice that is still prevalent today.

Disillusionment

Often we discover that growing and learning about ourselves and the world means letting go of precious ideals or perceptions we once had. Knowledge is never an inherently negative thing, but coming to terms with it can be a less than comfortable experience.

These themes often deal with the sacrifice of innocence and idealism in order to attain a greater understanding of ourselves and the world. The Great Gatsby is a tragic literary work that follows the central character’s disillusionment—and, by proxy, the reader’s—with the glittering party lifestyle that was once so seductive.

Closely related to prejudice, oppression is a very real problem in our world that has inspired a lot of powerful art and literature. Literary work that deals with this theme often seek to accomplish two things: the first, to enlighten people to a toxic situation that they may not have been aware of, and second, to show them that we can do something about it.

Although they deal with very negative and difficult subject matter, themes of oppression are often found in stories full of hope for a better future.

Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is one such groundbreaking novel that uses a speculative lens to draw attention to some of the problems we have faced historically and are still fighting against today.

The desire for revenge is a universal human impulse, and watching those impulses play out in the safe arena of fiction is both riveting and cathartic. However, revenge left to ferment and fester can be a very damaging thing and many of these stories teach us just how damaging these desires can be.

Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a revenge-driven tale that shows two different characters undone by their need for revenge above all else. These themes are often useful for examining the contrast of human strength and weakness.

On the topic of human weakness, corruption is one of the most vicious poisons to enter a human heart. Most corruption comes from a place of fear and survival instinct, and feeds easily from one person to another.

George Orwell’s allegorical novel Animal Farm examines the way this theme takes root and spreads, turning the best intentions into destructive actions fueled by pride and greed.

On some small level, we all take little steps to try and make it through each day. But most of us have never been in a situation so extreme that we need to fight for our lives.

Stories that explore the theme of survival are often a beat or two removed from our day-to-day understanding of the world, but they help us learn a lot about what we are capable of in difficult circumstances. The famous novel Robinson Crusoe is an adventure story that follows the central character cast away on a deserted island, pitting his strength and intellect against the whims of nature and fate.

Death and mortality are constant underlying themes in all works of literature as they are in life. The battle against the inevitability of death has been present in stories from all cultures for as long as there have been storytellers.

Very often literature that deals with the theme of mortality doesn’t present death as something wholly antagonistic, but something with its own place in the cycle of the world. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight , from the classic Arthurian Legends, deals strongly with multiple themes of life, death, rebirth, and honoring our place within those themes.

Good vs. Evil

Themes that explore morality are some of the first themes that many readers are exposed to as children. The Chronicles of Narnia , among many others, is a story that shows us this polarity. This theme teaches us that we should always try to do good in the world, and that even when there are bad people doing scary things, we can overcome them by being true to our own best natures.

Even as we grow older and learn that the world and the people in it are more complex than we could have imagined, there is still some part of us that wants to believe in those ideals. We gather strength from believing that good can triumph over evil—whether that’s between two forces in the wider world, or deeper, more intimately, within ourselves.

Individual vs. Society

Tying into some of the popular themes we looked at above like prejudice, oppression, and corruption, this theme will often explore those ideas by placing an individual protagonist at odds with the world around them.

The reader will identify with the central character and use their journey as a way to examine the failings of the society in the story—which may, in turn, reflect some of the failings that the reader can see in their own world as well. The Hunger Games is a popular novel that places an individual in opposition with a seemingly insurmountable status quo.

Life vs. Death

While some stories include themes that seek to understand mortality and the place it has in our life’s journey, other stories may look at life and death as two opposing, contradictory forces.

In the Harry Potter series, all of the events of the story unfold because the primary antagonist is at constant war with death. He treats it as an enemy to be overcome, even domesticated.

Since death is unfortunately a very real part of our natural cycle, these sorts of themes rarely end well for those involved. However, fear of the unknown is also a very real part of our natural cycle and so this central topic has arisen again and again in stories throughout history.

Fate vs. Free Will

How much of our path do we truly choose, and how much is preordained? This is a question we have been asking as long as there has been human consciousness—and people are still debating it today. Stories that explore this theme will usually follow a character who has seen a glimpse of what the future holds for them… and doesn’t care for it at all.

Oedipus the King , a famous Greek tragic drama, follows a character who’s trying to dodge a terrible prophecy about his future. He removes himself from the situation completely, only to find that those very actions are what set his fate into motion.

This theme doesn’t have to be tragic, though; it works just as well if you give your characters the strength to choose their own destinies.

Tradition vs. Change

Tension has always existed between one generation and another, regardless of what culture, ethnicity, or era they might be from. Stories with this theme look at finding the right balance between honoring the traditions of those before us and allowing room to grow.

Neil Gaiman’s American Gods takes a fantastical approach to this theme by pitting the old world gods of popular mythology against the new world of worship that people bow down to today, including media, technology, and the stock market.

These themes teach us that there is wisdom to be learned from our predecessors as well as wisdom in new ideas.

Pride vs. Humility

Pride is one of the most seductive of human sins. It’s also one of the most difficult to break away from, even when we can see as well as anyone how quickly it’s tearing us apart.

Themes of pride and humility are usually character-driven examinations of how we are all susceptible to this weakness, and the ways in which we can find the strength to overcome it. The appropriately named Pride and Prejudice is a good example of a story that shows two characters overcoming their pride in order to find the happiness they truly deserve.

Justice vs. Depravity

Any work of literature that follows a judicial system knows what a knife edge the threat of corruption can be. James Ellroy’s novel L.A. Confidential is a famous modern noir story that explores the thin line between righteousness and corruption, heroes and villains.

Using this concept in your work is an excellent way to explore our strengths, weaknesses, and limitations as human beings in a fundamentally unjust world.

Morality vs. Fear

This is another staple theme of the “hero vs. villain” stories. We like heroes because they always try to do the right thing, but we sometimes forget that doing the right thing can be very difficult and scary. Stories with this theme show us that we all constantly battle between doing what is right and what is easy, and that choosing the brave or honorable path does not happen without fear—it happens in spite of it.

Kristin Harmel’s WWII novel The Room on Rue Amélie follows a brave protagonist determined to play her part in the war efforts, even when she has every reason to feel afraid of doing so. From stories like this we learn how to be brave in our own lives.

How to find the theme of your own story

Unlike plot, theme isn’t really something you build from the ground up. Once you begin to see glimmers of a story, your theme is already beginning to take shape under the surface. It’s your job to excavate it and bring it to life.

To find the theme of your story, decide what central message the story is trying to communicate with the reader. Try asking yourself why you’re writing it in the first place. Why does it matter to you? This can take time, and the answer may surprise you.

For example, if you’re writing about a girl who discovers she’s from a secret lineage of super spies, deep down you might be writing it as a way to understand your feelings about your own lineage.

What sort of conflict is your main character facing? Has someone in her family been kidnapped by a rival super spy faction? Has she discovered some shady business in her family history that has her questioning her own values and perception of herself? In these cases your theme might be things like the importance of family, or the contrasting values of independence and tradition.

Develop your thematic statement

Then, see if you can crystallize your idea into a thematic statement—a one-sentence summary of the concept you’re trying to convey. In the above examples, your thematic statement might be, “Family always comes first,” or “One is not bound by the mistakes of their parents.” This thematic statement then becomes the driving force of your plot.

It doesn’t matter how fantastical or far-removed your story is—its heart, its reason for existing, will be something that you’re exploring or working to understand through the filter of art. It may be conscious or unconscious. Then, once you know what your story is really trying to say, you can share it with people who need your story to help them explore or understand these ideas too.

How to strengthen the theme of a story

Once you’ve figured out what your theme is, it’s time to find ways to make it shine even brighter through the course of your plot points and narrative development. You can do this as you go, or you can go back and find ways to give it a nudge later in the editing process.

Every literary element in your story should help communicate your theme with the reader, and your protagonist’s journey should be a direct parallel to their relationship with the theme. If the theme of your story is “family,” you may need to put your protagonist through a series of obstacles to help them realize the importance of this idea and why it’s worth fighting for.

The types of conflicts your characters face might all be different, but they should all circle back to the relationship they have with this central idea and how that relationship evolves through each major plot point.

When your characters grow to understand the theme in a new way, your readers will too. Making your characters do this is an important way of strengthening the themes of your story.

A writer can use literary devices like motifs, symbolism, and repetition to emphasize the themes in your story. Adding in recurring colors, words, objects, places, numbers, or cultural symbols will help intensify the theme for your reader. See if you can find ways to add little details that make your story’s theme even more prominent.

For example, if your central theme is “corruption,” you could use these literary devices to show a metaphorical corruption, or corrosion, of positive things in the story. You might have your character buy a new pair of shoes which becomes steadily more worn down until they fall apart—this would be a repeated symbol for other things that are being “worn down,” such as the character’s hope, morals, or ideals.

Certain motifs can also bring to mind this idea of corruption, such as tarnished coins or dirty water, and you can drop images like these here and there throughout your story to make the theme even more powerful for your reader.

These sorts of symbols can be used to emphasize all kinds of themes. If your theme is “mortality” or “life vs. death” you may have your main character come across a dead animal early in the story, and have them take time to reflect on their feelings and understanding of this idea before their journey begins.

Conversely, if your theme is “family”, they might need to stop their car to let a family of animals cross the road in front of them. How do they feel about that? Enchanted? Annoyed? Frightened? Their reaction won’t necessarily be stated explicitly, but showing it on the page will give further depth to your theme.

Theme is the heart of storytelling

Theme is one of the most important building blocks of powerful storytelling, but it doesn’t need to be approached from a place of anxiety or stress. Theme is simply a statement of why your story exists and why you need to be the one to tell it.

Storytelling has a very real power to change the world for the better, and theme—sharing it, talking about it, helping people understand why it matters—is how we can begin doing that.

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Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms - Definition and Examples

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

Definitions

(1) In literature and composition , a  theme is the main idea of a text , expressed directly or indirectly. Adjective: thematic .

(2) In composition studies , a theme is a short essay or  composition assigned as a writing exercise. See also:

• "Composing My First College Essay," by Sandy Klem
• Five-Paragraph Essay
• Models of Composition
• Theme Writing
• What's Wrong With the Five-Paragraph Essay?

See Examples and Observations below. Also, see:

From the Greek, "placed" or "laid down"

Examples and Observations (definition #1):

• "Simply put, a story's theme is its idea or point (formulated as a generalization). The theme of a fable is its moral; the theme of a parable is its teaching; the theme of a short story is its implied view of life and conduct. Unlike the fable and parable, however, most fiction is not designed primarily to teach or preach. Its theme, thus, is more obliquely presented. In fact, theme in fiction is rarely presented at all; readers abstract it from the details of characters and action that compose the story." (Robert DiYanni, Literature . McGraw-Hill, 2002)
• Orwell's Theme(s) in the Essay "A Hanging" - " ' A Hanging ' is [George] Orwell's first distinctive work. It gives an apparently objective account of a ritualistic execution--from fixed bayonets to a bag over the head of the condemned--in which the narrator officially and actively participates. . . . At this halfway point Orwell states his theme : 'till that moment I had never realized what it means to destroy a healthy, conscious man. When I saw the prisoner step aside to avoid the puddle, I saw the mystery, the unspeakable wrongness, of cutting a life short when it is in full tide.' Instead of invoking religion, he asserts a quasi-religious sense of life's sacredness--the first expression of the instinctive humanism that characterizes all his work." (Jeffrey Meyers, Orwell: Wintry Conscience of a Generation . Norton, 2000) - "A variation on this theme occurs in several of Orwell's most famous texts containing epiphanies , moments of illumination in which the humanity of people he has hitherto viewed in terms of dehumanizing generalizations suddenly breaks through, and Orwell's perception is jarred as he understands, with a shock, that these are people like himself. . . . In the early sketch entitled ' A Hanging' (1931), Orwell describes how his idea of what it means to kill a man is altered by the Hindu prisoner's gesture of stepping aside to avoid a puddle on the way to the gallows. What the text reveals, however, is that the prisoner at first looks to Orwell like a mere insignificant object. Into this scene, well defined in terms of the prisoner's already marginal existence, breaks the unexpected gesture, making Orwell (or the Orwellian narrative persona ) realize that the prisoner is alive, just as he is . . . . This chronicle is generally interpreted along the lines Orwell lays down, as the revelation of the barbarity of execution, but its primary meaning, I believe, is another. An inferiorized human being has for an instant become a genuine person in the eyes of one of the masters." (Daphne Patai, The Orwell Mystique: A Study in Male Ideology . University of Massachusetts Press, 1984)
• The Themes of the Novel Charlotte's Web - " Themes are subject to readers' interpretation, so different individuals may identify different themes in the same book; the dominant idea or theme, however, should be apparent to readers. " Charlotte's Web offers many layers of meaning to readers. Younger children are apt to understand this book as an animal fantasy. Older children are ready to apprehend the cycle of life and death, while adults recognize the irony in a situation that gives one character credit for the creativity of another. This is why we recommend using Charlotte's Web in the third or fourth grade, when children are ready to understand its major theme ." (Barbara Stoodt et al., Children's Literature:Discovery for a Lifetime . Macmillan, 1996) - "Identifying theme is typically a bit more difficult perhaps because theme is often confused with plot summary or motif . . . . ' Charlotte's Web (White, 1952) is a story about a pig whose life is saved by a spider' is not a theme statement! It is a plot statement. ' Charlotte's Web is a story about friendship' is also not a theme statement! Rather, it is a statement identifying one of the most important motifs in the story--friendship. 'A theme in Charlotte's Web is that true friendship involves responsibilities as well as privileges' is a theme statement!" (R. Craig Roney, The Story Performance Handbook . Lawrence Erlbaum, 2001) - "Besides mortality itself, throughout many idyllic scenes [in Charlotte's Web ] Andy [White] dabbed colorful spots of melancholy. He translated the song sparrow's aria as 'sweet, sweet, sweet interlude' and informed the reader that it referred to life's brevity. Crickets harped on the same theme . But overall Andy's theme was the joy of being alive, of reveling in the moment with visceral attention. What seemed like two themes were really one." (Michael Sims, The Story of Charlotte's Web . Walker, 2011)
• The Difference Between Plot and Theme "If you sometimes confuse plot with theme , keep the two elements separate by thinking of theme as what the story is about, and plot as the situation that brings it into focus. You might think of theme as the message of the story--the lesson to be learned, the question that is asked, or what it is the author is trying to tell us about life and the human condition. Plot is the action by which this truth will be demonstrated." (Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, quoted by Kenneth John Atchity and Chi-Li Wong in Writing Treatments That Sell , rev. ed. Henry Holt, 2003)
• Thesis and Theme "The thesis is the main point you are trying to argue [in a composition ]: for instance, that abortion is every woman's right or that housing discrimination is wrong. The theme , on the other hand, is a motif established by orchestrated connotative language that reinforces the thesis. Theme differs from thesis in that theme relies on inference and suggested meaning rather than on direct statement." (Kristin R. Woolever, About Writing: A Rhetoric for Advanced Writers . Wadsworth, 1991)

Pronunciation: THEEM

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How to write a theme statement

When you get done with a reading assignment for school, usually an essay, novel, or short story, you'll sometimes be asked to write a theme statement.

The definition of a theme statement can vary, but essentially it's asking you to state what the piece of writing was about — not the plot, but what sort of insight or perspective does it give on life/the world/human nature?

Theme is also sometimes known as the "main idea" of a story.

But how do you find the theme of a story? And how do you write a theme statement?

To write a theme statement, follow these 3 steps:

• Pick the main topic addressed in the story
• Pinpoint the author's view on the topic
• Format that perspective using a theme statement template

Let's dive a little deeper:

Finding the theme of a story using topics

After you're finished reading the book, story, or essay (you did read it, right?!), think back on the main character or characters.

Did they undergo some kind of change throughout the journey? Did their outlook on life evolve in some way?

That's usually a pretty good place to start looking for the theme.

For example, maybe the story deals with the broad topic of "love." Well "love" by itself isn't a theme, but a specific perspective on love could be.

Try this exercise once you've found your topic. Fill in the blank:

"This author believes _____ about (topic)."

In our example about love, maybe the story's about how love conquers all. Or maybe it's about how love is fleeting and fickle.

Your theme at this point might look something like this:

"The author believes that true love doesn't really exist."

(A little dark, but hey, it's just an example!)

Using a theme statement template

Every teacher or instructor is going to have their own way of wanting you to present your theme statement, so be sure to get clarity on that directly from them.

That said, there are some agreed upon "rules" of writing theme statements.

• Don't include specific characters or plot points. This perspective on life should apply to people and situations outside the story.
• Don't be obvious. "War is bad," is not a theme. Dig a little deeper using details from the story. (What specifically is bad about war? How does it negatively impact the characters or the world of the story?)
• Don't make it advicey. "You should always be there for your family," isn't a theme, it's a suggestion. Keep your theme statement objective and based solely on evidence from the story ("The bond between family can overcome any obstacle.")
• Don't use cliches. "Once a cheater, always a cheater," or "Actions speak louder than words," aren't themes. They're just expressions people use all the time and have very little power or real insight.

Here is a general template you can use based on what we learned above:

"The central theme of (piece of writing) is (author's position on topic) ."

Alternatively, you could try: "In (piece of writing), (author) presents the idea that (position on topic)."

You may also be asked to use supporting details from the story to back up your theme statement. In that case, your full theme statement might look something like this:

"The central theme of (piece of writing) is (author's position on topic). When (event from the story) happens, it results in (blank), which demonstrates (some element of the theme)."

You're going to have to tweak and adjust this based on how much detail the assignment calls for and which examples from the text you choose to use, but it should be a good starting point!

Theme statement examples

OK, so what does it look like in action?

Here are some example theme statements from stories you're probably already familiar with (I'm doing these mostly to demonstrate how to use the template. I hope you'll put a lot of thought into your own theme statements and play around with different ideas before committing to one) :

In 'The Dark Knight Rises', Christopher Nolan presents the idea that true heroism requires complete and utter selflessness.

The central theme of 'Finding Nemo' is that fear is sometimes more dangerous than danger itself.

In 'Romeo and Juliet', Shakespeare presents the idea that love is more powerful than hate.

Hope this helps! And good luck!

Questions? Let me know in the comments.

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What is Theme, and Why is it Important?

Nov 17, 2014 by Sara Letourneau published in Writing

Giving examples of themes in literature isn’t too difficult. Love, good versus evil, loss of innocence – and the list goes on. However, what about defining the term “theme”? Or, picking out themes in your own work? That can be more of a challenge, but it’s one you don’t have to confront alone.

Today I’m thrilled to launch Theme: A Story’s Soul, a monthly DIY MFA column that deconstructs theme in novels and writing. Some articles will act as case studies, focusing on a particular theme in classic and contemporary literature. Others will cover techniques to help identify themes in stories. Most importantly, each article will end with something fun and creative for you! We’ll give you the chance to study theme on your own with questions to ponder and writing prompts to spark new ideas.

First things first, though: Let’s make sure we understand a) what theme is, and b) why it’s important.

What Exactly Is Theme?

Knowing how to explain what “theme” means in a reading and writing context will help us find what we’re looking for later on. A dictionary can be a good place to start – sometimes. Here are the first two definitions Merriam-Webster gives for the word “theme”:

• The main subject that is being discussed or described in a piece of writing, a movie, etc.
• A particular subject or issue that is discussed often or repeatedly

Hmmmmm. As you can see, the phrasing of Definition #1 makes it dangerously easy to confuse theme with plot. Definition #2 is more accurate; a novel’s main concepts will pop up frequently as the plot progresses, and in various ways. However, to develop a clear understanding of theme from a reading and writing perspective, we should consult – who else? – other writers.

Writers’ Perspectives on Theme

Author and editor C.S. Lakin has written a plethora of articles on theme at her blog Live Write Thrive. She often calls theme “the heart of a story.” Think about that for a moment. What must theme accomplish in order to be the heart of a story? Maybe it presents a fundamental idea or moral lesson that the character learns as a result of the plot. Maybe it teaches the reader something as well. Even better, maybe it does both.

Story and script consultant Michael Hauge ( Writing Screenplays That Sell ) offers his own take on theme here : “[T]heme is the prescription for living that the writer wants to give the audience or the reader.” He goes on to explain that theme is connected to the protagonist’s journey. The lessons learned by the protagonist propel her character arc and illustrate her transformation for the readers, thus allowing the readers to learn those lessons as well.

Let’s use the theme of home in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as an example. During his search to destroy the Horcruxes – and, ultimately, his nemesis Lord Voldemort – Harry visits other characters’ homes as well as the many “substitute” homes from his childhood. The idea of home has always been foreign to Harry, an orphan who struggled with his sense of belonging throughout the series. Yet, here’s what Harry realizes when he learns he must make the ultimate sacrifice to defeat Voldemort and defend his beloved wizardry school Hogwarts: “He wanted to be stopped, to be dragged back, to be sent home… But he was home. Hogwarts was the first and best home he had known.” (697) Discovering where he truly feels at home, Harry chooses to turn himself over to Voldemort in hopes of saving the people and place he holds dearest. His thoughts and actions here show readers that the idea of home is worth defending, at any cost.

A Working Definition of “Theme”

Whew! All of this information from Merriam-Webster, Lakin, and Hague is a lot to digest. However, we can take what we’ve learned and create a working definition for “theme,” one that captures all the important points discussed above and that we can refer to in future articles for A Story’s Soul.

Theme: An idea, concept, or lesson that appears repeatedly throughout a story, reflects the character’s internal journey through the external plot, and resonates with the reader.

So… why is theme important.

It’s great that we know what theme is now, but that’s only half the answer to our two-part question. Why is theme important in novels and writing? Simply put: If a story lacks theme, the reader might not connect with it.

Remember that theme is connected to the protagonist’s internal journey. It ties the character’s concerns and passions – the character’s soul, figuratively speaking – to the external plot, while giving readers something to care about and someone to root for. What happens when that link is missing? What if the protagonist doesn’t have a goal to strive for? You’d have a plot that goes nowhere and readers losing interest – in other words, a story without a soul.

Theme helps a good story become a compelling one. It represents Katniss’ incentive to fight her way through The Hunger Games , Santiago’s desire to seek buried treasure in The Alchemist , and Frodo’s motivation to destroy the One Ring in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. Most importantly, theme allows readers to relate to the characters and their struggles – and to feel invested in the outcome. That’s why we read novels and write stories to begin with, right?

Come back on Monday, December 29, when we’ll explore how dissecting a novel’s title and synopsis can help you identify its themes!

It’s Your Turn!

What are some topics you’d like to see featured at Theme: A Story’s Soul? Share your thoughts by commenting below or tweeting me at @SaraL_Writer with the hashtag #AStorysSoul.

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What is Theme in Literature and Film? Definition and Examples

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W hat is theme? In the simplest terms, a theme is the subject of a story. But that definition actually does more harm than good in fully understanding the theme of a story. In this article, we’re going to look at some common misconceptions by breaking down how to use theme in literature and screenwriting, with examples from Lost , A Clockwork Orange , and more. But before we jump into some theme examples, let’s start with a theme definition.

Watch: What is Theme Explained

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Theme in Film

How to define theme in literature & film.

Themes can be communicated in cinema in two ways: auditorily and visually. They can be blended into both categories, or expounded upon in either sense. In literature, themes are restricted to the page. But before we dive too deep into the intricacies of how themes are uniquely used in the film, let’s start with a theme definition.

THEME DEFINITION

What is theme.

A theme is the inferred stance taken on the central topic or message of a story. Think love for example: love may be the topic , but learning to love yourself may be the theme . Themes are used to communicate important ideas and messages about issues that face the characters and the setting of a narrative. Everything that happens within a story should reference back to a theme. 

What does theme mean in literature and film:

• A theme is what the story is truly about at its core
• It is often the lesson or moral we are meant to take away from this particular story
• Plot and narrative are vehicles that drive the reader or viewer to the theme in a story
• In some cases, there are major themes and minor themes combined to inform and support each other

Articulating themes can be a little tricky. That’s largely due to how broadly we generalize the term “theme” in everyday conversation. Love, war, death, isolation, etc., these are not themes — they’re topics. Many, myself included, fall into the trap of conceptualizing these ideas into themes without considering what the point of their use could be.

A theme isn't complete unless it actually says something or takes a position about the topic. That's why identifying "love" as a theme doesn't really help us understand what we are meant to take away from the story. "Love is blind" or "love is all you need" are themes that make a clear argument about the topic and, therefore, help us to process, interpret and understand the story on a deeper level.

What is Theme?  •  How to Define Theme in Literature

Here, the video essayist aptly says that love and fate are two central topics of  Romeo and Juliet , then suggests that the story’s major theme is that "fate conquers love." Of all the themes in literature, this is perhaps the most iconic.

We’re going to focus on how themes are used in the cinema though. Here’s a quick breakdown of how to differentiate topics and themes in popular films:

Example:  Beauty and the Beast

• Topic: Vanity
• Theme: True beauty is on the inside not out

Example:  Good Will Hunting

• Topic: Friendship
• Theme: Friends help each other grow

Now let’s do a quick example of a film’s major and minor themes.

Example:  The Godfather  

• Major Theme: Power consumes the powerless
• Minor Theme: Family is the most important thing in the world

Oftentimes, major and minor themes clash. In  The Godfather: Part II , we see how the minor theme of family loyalty is destroyed by the indomitable major theme of all-consuming power. This creates drama and nuance in the story.

Related Posts

• What is a Trope? →
• How to Use Motifs in Film? →
• What is a MacGuffin in Screenwriting? →

Major Theme Examples

How are major themes used.

One of the most enduring themes of all-time is the battle between reason vs. faith. Perhaps the most obvious example of this thematic conflict put to use in television is John Locke vs. Jack Sheppard in Lost .

Jack represents scientific reason. Locke represents actionable faith.

This moral difference causes conflict between the two characters. Not just any type of conflict though, thematic conflict — something that digs far deeper than physical confrontations and connects to the central topic of the series. It is also a battle between internal and external conflict .

Let’s take a look at a clip from the first season of  Lost to see how this conflict materializes.

Theme Examples  •  Lost: Science vs. Faith

How is the theme of reason vs. faith communicated to us in this scene? In truth, it’s done in a variety of ways, some conceptual, some visual. Characters, plot , production design , and dialogue all play a role in getting across the point of the topic.

Let’s break down the major aspects of the scene to see how it works:

Characters 

Jack is young, energetic, but scattered. Locke is older, reserved, but purposeful. Then, of course, there’s the implications of subtext in Locke’s name suggesting an added referential layer to the philosophy of John Locke’s teachings on empiricism and faith.

What do the props say about the scene? I’d say that they help communicate a sense of tribalism or primalism.

Jack suggests Locke is crazy for his faith. Locke suggests Jack is crazy for lacking faith.

Throughout the show, the topic of reason vs. faith plays a central role in pushing the story forward. In the end, a definitive stance is taken on the topic, which results in an impactful theme.

Minor Theme Examples

How are minor themes used.

If you’re looking to learn more about how themes are communicated in film, you have to watch Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange . Everything in the film points back to the topics of the story, such as conformity, chaos, sexuality, repentance, good vs. evil, etc.

I’d say that the central theme of A Clockwork Orange is the inescapability of conformity. We see this theme communicated throughout the film in wardrobe, props, and plot. But what are the other types of themes?

Well, if the topic they’re commenting on isn’t central to the story, then they may be referred to as minor.

One of the more unique minor topics of the film is sexuality. Let’s take a look at a scene from the script for A Clockwork Orange to see how Stanley Kubrick built a sexual theme.

Minor Theme Examples  •  A Clockwork Orange  •   Read Full Scene

What can we infer from this scene? Well for starters, we can certainly say that there’s something purposeful about Kubrick’s choice of props. A sword fight involving a Beethoven bust and a phallic statue is certainly something you don’t see every day — hopefully ever.

So what’s the point of writing in these uber-specific props? I’d ponder that the props are meant to establish the theme of carnal, masculine domination.

Now let’s take a look at this scene from the film:

What is Theme?  •  A Clockwork Orange

When the events of the script are put into action, we see how this conflict is communicated in a strictly visual sense. In addition to the statues, there are paintings of nude women that adorn the walls. It’s clear that this is a setting of overt sexuality. 

So what happens when our protagonist Alex, a representative for violent, criminal sexuality, meets with this Cat Lady in her brash, feminine sanctuary. He quite literally bludgeons her with a penis, so as to say that he uses his manhood to destroy her. This creates an unforgettable theme of “male domination.”    

Theme Meaning

What is the theme of schindler's list.

Cinema is a unique medium because it offers something that would be impossible to do in literature — the ability to tell a story with visuals and audio. For filmmakers, there’s a near-endless spectrum of tools available to convey theme meaning in unique and exciting ways.

Again, remember that themes aren’t outwardly defined, they’re planted by a writer/director then inferred by the audience through the plot, dialogue, and production design.

One great theme that’s communicated solely through filmmaking tactics is that of senseless tragedy; implied by the girl in red in Schindler’s List .

Let’s take a look at how director Steven Spielberg uses color in costuming, character detail, audio, and plot to establish a topic, then communicate its tragedy.

Theme Examples in Film  •  Schindler’s List

Everything Spielberg does in this sequence is purposeful, from framing to audio to color grading. So, what’s the topic? There’s clearly an overarching sense of death and mortality. But I’d say that the major point of the scene is more acutely about the loss of innocence and the reflection of Oskar Schindler’s (Liam Neeson) own guilt.

How do we infer that this scene may be about the loss of innocence though? Well, it starts with all the aspects of filmmaking that we alluded to earlier. Spielberg uses music to swell our emotions, then uses the sound of gunfire to juxtapose it.

Visually, he highlights a young girl in a red coat, who is just one of the many victims of this horrid picture. In this next video, we take a look at how Spielberg uses eye trace and framing to guide our attention to her.

Schindler’s List  •  Eye Trace Example

When filmmaking tactics meet a sharp script that’s layered with subtext and theme, a masterpiece is created.

Later in the film, Spielberg ties a bow on the theme of the loss of innocence. In this next scene, we see that Schindler breaks down in remorse over the fact that he could have saved more victims.

What is the Theme of a Story?  •  Schindler’s List

How is this resolution communicated? Through all the aspects of film production: plot, dialogue, props, etc. Many have suggested that when Schindler says that his Nazi pin could’ve saved “one more person” he’s actually referencing the girl in red who Spielberg highlighted earlier. A theme should be incorporated throughout a story from start to finish. Perhaps no movie does a better job of incorporating themes than Schindler’s List .

How to use conflict in a story

At the core of every story is some sort of conflict, whether internal or external. And no theme could be effectively communicated without conflict — evident by our examples from A Clockwork Orange and LOST . In this next article, we break down conflict in further detail, with a clear definition and video examples.

Up Next: Conflict explained →

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How to Write a Theme Essay

Last Updated: January 4, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 209,886 times.

Starting the Essay

• For example, an essay prompt may ask you to reflect on the theme of good versus evil in John Steinbeck's East of Eden .

• Make a list of everything you know about the topic. This can be information you learned in class, as well as information you found on your own.
• Write down keywords or key scenes in the text that respond to the essay prompt. Think about what words or scenes from the text come to mind when you think of a specific theme.
• For example, when you brainstorm ideas on East of Eden , you may write down any moments in the text that seem to speak to the theme of good and evil.

• Your thesis statement will need to address the theme, your primary example or examples, and the stance you will take on the topic.
• For example, your thesis might be: "In East of Eden , John Steinbeck rejects the Biblical idea of good and evil and instead focuses on the contradictions and complications found in good and evil."

• Introduction: Discuss landscape as metaphor, include thesis statement.
• Body: Describe mountains in opening scene, elaborate on how they symbolize good vs. evil, state how characters live between the mountains, showing how people are caught between good and evil.
• Conclusion: Restate thesis statement, return to landscape as metaphor.

Writing Your Essay

• Questions can make fun hooks for the reader. Ask a rhetorical question that relates to the theme of the essay, such as "How does one decide what is good and what is evil?"
• You can also use a quote from the text as the hook. Find a quote in the text that explores the themes and ideas you'll be discussing in your essay.

• For example, you may introduce the role of nature plays in the text to discuss the theme of good and evil. The first sentence of your body paragraph should discuss the role of nature. This will set up the paragraph and let the reader know what the focus of the paragraph will be.

• For example, you may discuss the use of nature in the text in one paragraph. The body of the paragraph should then use quotes and scenes in the text to support this idea.
• You might write,"The descriptions of the Gabilan Mountains in the text symbolize good and evil. The characters in the story live in the Salinas Valley, trapped in a gray area between these two extremes."

• Ask yourself, "What do I want my readers to have learned through this essay?"
• Remind readers about the essay's theme. Reference some of the arguments you made in the body of your essay, reinforcing how they support your original point.

Revising Your Essay

• Check that there are transitions between paragraphs. Look at the beginning of each paragraph to make sure they all flow well together.

• Print out your paper and proofread it. Oftentimes, errors are easier to catch on paper. If you can't print out your paper, try changing the size or type of the font. Anything that alters how the work looked when you wrote it can help alert you to errors. [13] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source

• Be open to constructive feedback from friends and peers. This will only improve the essay and ensure it is at its best when you turn it in.

Expert Q&A

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• ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
• ↑ https://penandthepad.com/write-essay-theme-book-2200.html
• ↑ https://wts.indiana.edu/writing-guides/how-to-write-a-thesis-statement.html
• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/essay-outline/
• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-a-hook/
• ↑ https://libguides.newcastle.edu.au/how-to-write-an-essay/conclusion
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/steps_for_revising.html
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/proofreading_suggestions.html
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/

About This Article

When writing a theme essay, you’ll need to explore a given theme in the text you’re studying. Before you start your essay, brainstorm some notes about your theme, which you can then build your essay from. For example, if you have the theme of good and evil, think about which characters are mostly good or evil, any good or evil actions they take, description that uses light and darkness, and any religious context. In your intro, state your thesis, which should summarize your essay’s main argument. Then, choose 4 or 5 examples of your theme and write a paragraph exploring each one. Make sure you support your points with quotes from the text. In your conclusion, link your ideas back to your thesis statement. For more tips from our English co-author, including how to revise your essay to polish it up, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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7 Chapter 7: What is Theme and How do we Analyze its Development?

Chapter 7: What is Theme and How do we Analyze its Development?

Everything we have been going over thus far–and everything we will cover in the subsequent chapters–has been leading up to the question of theme and how we analyze its development in works of fiction. Theme is generally described shorthandedly as an idea that a narrative is conveying. And that’s effectively what a theme is: narratives introduce certain subjects or issues through their arrangements of plot, character, and setting and the overall “spin” implicit in its mode of deploying this subject, its implicit “philosophy” of this topic, is what we call theme. Theme cannot be conveyed by one or two words: death, transcendence, and Igbo cultural identity are all subjects, not themes. The complex, nuanced overall “statement” that the narrative as a whole is making about the nature of this subject through its manner of treating it through narrative — that is the theme. So to take the previous examples, “death is the act that gives overall meaning to a life,” “art can allow us to transcend even the most grim and socially marginalized living circumstances,” and “Igbo cultural identity is not homogenous, but has always been somewhat multifarious and contested, even during the precolonial period” are all themes or thematic statements a work of fiction might be making about the subjects mentioned above.

When we articulate theme and then break down how that theme has been developed over the course of the narrative, providing good, systematic textual evidence to show how this has been accomplished, we are offering an interpretation of a work of fiction. And this is precisely what we are to do when we are called on to analyze a work of fiction; in middle school we are generally called on to just summarize the work (to prove that we have basic reading comprehension skills), but from here forward you are being called on to put into practice this higher order form of reading that we call interpretation—to tease out central themes that works of fiction are conveying through their artful arrangement of the different formal structures of fiction that we have been covering in this textbook.

So how do we pull everything we’ve been looking at together to arrive at a methodology for analyzing theme? Well, unlike with math, there are no set formulas to use time and again, because works of fiction draw on a lot of different strategies for developing theme. So we will have to read imaginatively and over time develop a critical sensibility of the sort we discussed in chapter 2. But there are some things we can look out for that in the vast majority of cases will put us on the right track of tracing a work’s development of theme:

• The work’s title: Titles speak to what lies at the heart of a work. The title of this textbook, like those of all textbook’s, speaks in blunt, direct declarative language to its main focus. Works of popular fiction have titles that generally speak to their central plot focus either very literally, like in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone , or in approachably metaphorical terms, like in the Twilight series (twilight being that time of day where day and night meet, or here the children of day and night – humans and vampires). But works of literary fiction are by nature idea-driven, and their titles generally speak in some way, shape, or form (generally oblique or figurative) to a central theme (or themes) at the heart of the work. This may take the form of some central metaphor or symbol the text employs, suggesting the centrality of this metaphor or symbol to the themes the work is dealing with – as in the case of Hermann Hesse’s novel Steppenwolf , a narrative fundamentally about outsiderness and alienation. It may proceed by way of allusion, where a work “riffs” off the meanings contained in an earlier text, like William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury , whose title alludes to a line from Shakespeare’s Macbeth that says human beings make a lot of noise in life, but when all is said and done those lives don’t mean much (for more on allusion, see chapter 9). And sometimes a work takes its title from the name of a central character, suggesting that its core themes revolve around that character, like in Kurt Vonnegut’s story “Harrison Bergeron,” whose title character dramatizes the social dangers of too much exceptional individualism and too much forced equality.
• Structure of conflict and resolution: As we discussed in our chapter on analyzing plot, the structure of conflict and resolution driving a narrative will put in play certain subjects or issues, and the overall take or inflection that the work as a whole gives to these is a central theme of the work. If we have a love plot, the work is going to be saying something about the nature of love, but also related concepts such as sexuality, relationship power dynamics, gender identity, and jealousy or possessiveness. A political drama will be intrinsically conveying certain themes about the political system that it represents, but also about such related issues as ambition, the nature of public opinion, the relationship between wealth and power, and/or betrayal.
• Patterns of repetition and emphasis: When analyzing the development of theme, keep an eye out for repetitions: plot points, imagery, uncommon words, and so forth. If we see for instance, multiple sibling relationships featured in the plot, repeated fire imagery, or multiple uses of a word like “stygian” or “ardor” that one doesn’t encounter frequently, we should ask if this fits into a larger pattern of thematic development we see emerging in the text. Likewise, if a narrative stops and lingers descriptively over something that isn’t essential to advancing the plot—the books on a character’s bookcase or all of the furnishings in a large ballroom , for instance—we should stop and ask what role these details play in advancing the themes the narrative is developing.
• Symbols and allusions: The next two chapters will look in depth at symbolism and allusion, but because their narrative function is to develop theme, a brief preview here is in order. Some objects, aspects of setting, names, etc. occurring in a narrative can be read as standing for an idea; this is what we call symbolism. Some conventional symbols are dogs symbolizing loyalty, red roses symbolizing passionate love, and a path representing the journey through life. But not all instances of symbolism draw on these kind of stock symbols. A narrative may develop its own symbols, using a fleet of garbage trucks to symbolize U.S. society’s obliviousness to the ecological costs of mass consumerism or a moldering old birthday cake to symbolize loss, regret, and the fleeting nature of elation. Since symbols advance ideas, when you recognize one, ask how it fits into the larger pattern of thematic development you are seeing in a narrative.

Another “tool” narratives use to develop theme is to make reference to other texts or to historical figures or events in a manner similar to sampling in music or hyperlinks on the worldwide web. Known as allusion, this is a way of borrowing or “piggy-backing” off of the themes developed in this reference to history or to another text. For instance, a character in a story could say he isn’t “into being his brother’s keeper,” verbally alluding to the story of Cain and Abel in the biblical Book of Genesis, with its complex mediation on the ethical obligations and violent rivalries that undergird fraternal relationships. Or a city in a narrative might be named Laghouat, alluding to the site of an 1852 French army massacre of Algerians in its brutal “pacification” of the country and thereby introducing the idea of mass violence in the service of imperialism. Again, for more information of the ways that symbols and allusions advance theme, see the following two chapters.

• Dynamic characters: As we discussed in our chapter on analyzing characterization, if a major character changes in some way over the course of a narrative, the work is conveying some theme based on the nature of that change. For example, if a character encounters characters of different social backgrounds over the course of a narrative and consequently moves away from his close-mindedness and intolerance at the beginning of the narrative, then the story is saying that experience has the capacity to make people more open-minded and accepting of difference over time.

There are some additional key considerations we have to keep in mind when analyzing a work’s development of theme. For one, we have to analyze a work as a whole, as an entire textual unit with complex internal interrelationships, not just “cherry-pick” part of the narrative, ignoring how the themes it conveys receive further development elsewhere in the narrative. A novel, for instance might advance a certain idea about bravery in an earlier chapter, only to deeply challenge or qualify this idea with events that occur towards the end of the narrative. Another thing to keep in mind is just because a character expresses an idea doesn’t mean that the narrative as a whole embraces it. Works of fiction, especially novels, employ a kind of dissonant chorus of different voices and perspectives through different characters, some of whom only exist thematically to show how wrong-headed their viewpoint is. For example, a number of characters in Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises express anti-Semitic viewpoints, but this doesn’t mean that the work itself is anti-Semitic, just that it thematically explores the nature of anti-Semitism in relationship to the U.S. culture of the time. Similarly, very rarely is a character with all the answers going to stand up on a soap box and pontificate for the reader, directly and unalloyedly laying out theme; while there are certain works that do this, like Jack London’s socialist classic The Iron Heel , this kind of heavy-handed preachiness is considered unartful and hence is generally avoided in works of modern fiction—if you were to take a creative writing class in fiction writing, one of the first things you would be taught is that fiction should “show, not tell.” That is, expect themes to be developed through the unfolding of plot and character, not to be spelled out through blunt declarative language like that of an accounting textbook—because this is how fiction as a genre communicates: by making stories that illustrate certain things about the nature of their subject matter.

And finally, when analyzing the development of theme, make sure that you are laying out the abstract concept (theme) the narrative is conveying, then breaking down thoroughly how it has been developed through the development of plot, character, etc. and through such devices as symbolism and allusion—make sure that you are not just summarizing (recapping the major events of the plot). Ask yourself, are you saying that “The Tortoise and the Hare” is a story about the superiority of hard work and perseverance over inherent talent, then breaking down how this idea has been developed through the construction of the narrative, or are you just saying that “The Tortoise and the Hare” is a story about a turtle and a rabbit who get in a race that the turtle wins?

Suggested Short Story Readings to Accompany This Chapter

                Obviously all works of fiction convey themes, so just about any work could be used to compliment this chapter. My preference is for works with a relatively unambiguous development of themes that have not over time become clichéd or proverbial. James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues” is a good fit, as is George Saunders’s “Sea Oak” (because it challenges hegemonic notions regarding the American Dream and poverty) and Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron” (because U.S. students, being in the grip of hegemonic notions regarding freedom and totalitarianism, will tend to elide certain crucial textual details and fail to see the story’s satirical critique of incipient U.S. television culture).

An Introduction to the Analysis of Fiction Copyright © 2023 by Michael K. Walonen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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The 25 Most Common Themes in Literature and Why They Matter

by Sue Weems | 0 comments

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If you've ever survived a high school English class, you've likely been asked to consider the most common themes in literature. What are they and why do they matter for readers and writers? Let's take a look.

Literature's first job is to entertain. But at the same time every novel has a kernel of truth in it, or perhaps several kernels, ideas about how life works or philosophies on the best way to live or some gesture to the broader meaning of life. 

Taken together, these ideas may combine into a “theme.” 

I say “may” because theme is more a tool of interpretation than creativity. The writer may come into the story with an idea of what their story is about. This understanding of what their story is “about ” may even help add focus and depth to their story.

Once a book is published, though, the audience owns theme, and they may depart with a totally different message than the author intended.

Which is all to say, as a writer, theme may or may not be helpful to you. 

As a reader, though, you can use theme to unlock the deeper truths both in the story and in life. Let's look at what theme is, why it matters for readers and writers, how to identify them, and some common examples of theme in literature. 

Why trust Sue on theme? I'm one of those annoying English teachers who helps students analyze literature. Students ask me why we do it, and I'll tell you the secrets I share with them: analyzing literature helps us understand our humanity and world– from the misuse of power to the meaning of life.

Secondly, learning to look at a part of something and understand how it functions in the whole (AKA analysis) is a skill that transcends literature. It's a low-stakes way to practice life skills. 

Want to skip ahead? Click on the topic that best answers your question. 

Table of Contents

What is a literary theme? Why does theme matter for a reader? How do you identify theme in a story? Types of story: a shortcut to theme Common themes in literature with examples Why theme matters for writers Practice  

What is a literary theme?

A literary theme is a universal concept, idea or message explored in a story or poem. It's often a moral, lesson, or belief that the writer wants to convey to readers.

Think of theme as the underlying message that shapes the story. It’s not always obvious at first glance – sometimes it takes some close reading and analysis to identify what’s going on beneath the surface.

A universal theme is one that transcends time and place. For example, the popular theme “love conquers all” shows up in old romances such as The Epheseian Tale from 2-50 AD to Disney's Robin Hood from 1973 to Nicholas Sparks' novel The Notebook from 2004. 

Why does theme matter for a reader?

You can certainly enjoy a story without knowing the theme explicitly, but most stories are about something beyond the character's actions. And we want them to be about something more. 

Stories are the way we build meaning—the way we understand human life, the way we process and confront controversial ideas, the way we sometimes relate to each other on a universal level. 

When someone asks you what a book you're reading is about, you likely give a sentence or two about the character, their goal, and the conflict, but you're just as likely to identify an abstract idea that the book is about. That idea is a touchpoint for our humanness. 

I may not be into a book about a boy wizard who is swept into a world where he must overcome his fears and insignificance to defeat a formidable foe, but I can certainly understand what it means to belong, what it means to find your way through inadequacy, what it means to defeat your fears. 

That's the power of theme. It points to deeper meaning, connecting me to a story and to other readers like me.

How do you identify theme in a story?

If you are a student or a writer trying to identify theme, it sometimes feels like trying to crack a secret English major code. But here's a trick I teach my students. 

1. Find the big idea

First, ask yourself about the big ideas or concepts that seem important throughout the entire story. These may feel abstract, such as love, beauty, despair, justice, or art. Sometimes the main character has very defined beliefs (or misbeliefs!) about the idea. 

2. Ask what the story suggests about the idea

Once you have one or two overarching central ideas that seem important for the story, then ask yourself this question: What does the story seem to say about this idea?

For example, if I'm reading Shirley Jackson's chilling short story “The Lottery,” I might identify that the story is about community and tradition. If I wanted to be a little more specific I'd say tradition in the vein of conformity. 

Quick summary of the story (spoiler alert!): The story opens on a summer day when an entire community participates in their annual lottery. Each family in town draws a paper until a single community member has been selected. The end of the story shows the town stoning the “winner” in a barbarous act of solidarity to maintain community traditions.

Now, to identify the central theme, I'd ask myself, what does Jackson's story seem to say about community or tradition or conformity? 

Some communities are willing to maintain their traditions (or conformity) at any cost.

3. Support the theme or message with examples

If I wanted to support the central theme I identified, I would pull quotes or examples from the story that support it. In this case, I could look at the children who are willing to participate, the contrast of the summer day and the dark deed, the insistence that the stoning will keep them prosperous, even though there is no evidence of such. 

Are there other possible themes? Sure. There are no wrong answers, only themes that can be defended from the texts and those that don't have enough support. It takes a little practice, but try this technique and see if it doesn't help. 

Types of Story: a shortcut to finding theme in a story

As a part of his book The Write Structure , Joe has identified several types of story that help writers plan and execute their books. The detailed post is here. 

In short, Joe argues that all stories are built on six values frameworks, regardless of genre. The values are directly related to the human condition and identify base needs we have for moving through the world. 

Knowing your story types and the value scale can be a short cut to identifying themes in books and stories, because those universal ideas are tucked inside the values. 

Here are the values in each type of story:

• Survival from Nature > Life vs. Death
• Survival from Others > Life vs. Fate Worse than Death
• Love/Community > Love vs. Hate
• Esteem > Accomplishment vs. Failure
• Personal Growth > Maturity vs. Immaturity
• Transcendence > Right vs. Wrong

The types can help you identify the central ideas that the story speaks into because you know that the values will be key. Your question then is what does the story seem to say about this value? Or more specifically, what does the story seem to say about the way this particular character pursues this value? 

For example: If you are reading a Jack London short story or novel, you know that the protagonist is going to be facing survival from nature. The value is life versus death. So to determine the theme we ask what does the story say about life vs death or survival?

In Jack London's short story “To Build a Fire,” an arrogant man trying to survive the Yukon wilderness makes a series of novice mistakes from traveling alone to getting wet with no way to get warm and dry. Spoiler alert, he dies. 

What is the theme of this story? My students usually shout out something like, “Don't be a dummy and travel alone with no way to make a fire!” And they're not wrong. The ideas here are life, death, nature, and humanity. Here are a number of ways you could frame the theme with specific support from the story:

• Nature is indifferent to human suffering. 
• Human arrogance leads to death.
• There are limits to self-reliance. 

As you can see, the theme is what the story suggests about the story value. 

Common themes in literature with examples

James Clear collected a list of the best-selling books of all time on his website . Let's start with some of those fiction titles.

Disclaimer: I know many of these summaries and themes are vastly oversimplified and most could be fleshed out in long, complicated papers and books. But for the sake of time, let's imagine my list as limited examples of theme among many that could be argued. 

Disclaimer 2: I tried to get ChatGPT to help me write the one sentence summaries for these titles even though I've read all but two of the listed books. The summaries ChatGPT wrote were weak or too general for our purposes. So if there are errors below, they are all mine—I can't blame the bots today. Let's look at the list: 

1. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes (1605) summary: Aging nobleman Don Quixote deludes himself into thinking he's a knight and takes on a satirical quest to prove his honor by defending the helpless and defeating the wicked. 

theme: Being born a nobleman (or any class) does not automatically determine your worth. 

2. Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (1859) summary: In this sprawling novel of swapped (or reconstructed) identities and class warfare during the French Revolution, characters navigate the nature of love, betrayal, justice, and the possibility of transformation. 

theme: Transformation is possible for enlightened individuals and societies.

3. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien (1954) summary: An unlikely hobbit and his diverse team set out to find and destroy a powerful ring to save Middle-earth and defeat the dark lord Sauron. 

theme: Good can defeat evil when people (or creatures) are willing to sacrifice for the common good. 

4. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1943) summary: A prince visits various planets and discovers the importance of curiosity and openness to emotion.

theme: The most important things in life can't be seen with the eyes but with the heart. 

5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (1997) summary: An unsuspecting orphan attends a wizard school where he discovers his true identity, a dark foe, and the belonging he craves. 

theme: Love and friendship transcend time and space. 

6. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (1939) summary: Seven guests gather at a house on an island where they are killed off one-by-one as they try to discover the murderer. 

theme: Death is inevitable, justice is not.  

7. The Dream of the Red Chamber by Cat Xueqin (1791) summary: In this complex family drama, a nobleman's son is born with a magic jade in his mouth, and he rebels against social norms and his father resulting in an attempted arranged wedding and illness rather than reinforce oppression.

theme: Social hierarchies maintained by oppression will eventually fall. 

8. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (1937) summary: Timid hobbit Bilbo Baggins is called by a wizard to help a band of dwarves reclaim their land from a terrible dragon, Smaug.

theme: Bravery can be found in the most unlikely places.

9. She: A History of Adventure by H. Rider Haggard (1886) summary: An professor and his ward seek out a lost kingdom in Africa to find a supernatural queen.

theme: Considering the imperialism of the time as well as worry about female empowerment, the themes here are varied and problematic, but perhaps one theme might resonate: Be careful what you seek, for you may find it. 

10. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (1950) summary: Four children venture through a wardrobe into a magical kingdom where they must work together to save Narnia, meet Aslan, and defeat the White Witch. 

theme: Evil is overwhelmingly tempting and can only be defeated through sacrifice. 

11. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (1951) summary: An expelled prep school student, Holden Caulfield, has a number of coming-of-age misadventures on his way home for the holiday break.

theme: Innocence can only be protected from the risks of growing up for so long. 

12. The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho (1988) summary: A Spanish shepherd named Santiago travels to Egypt searching for treasure he saw in a dream. 

theme: Anyone can make the world better if we are willing and courageous.

13. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (1967) summary: This circle of life novel covers seven generations of the Buendia family as they build a small dysfunctional utopia in a swamp amidst a changing political and social Latin American landscape.

theme: Solitude is an inevitability for humankind. 

14. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery (1908) summary: An orphan finds her place with the Cuthbert siblings, and she brings her peculiar and delightful blend of imagination and optimism to their lives and community.

theme: Every human desires and deserves belonging. 

15. Charlotte's Web by E.B. White (1952) summary: Wilbur the pig and his unconventional spider friend Charlotte join forces to save Wilbur's life from the slaughterhouse. 

theme: Friendship can be found in the most unlikely places.

And let's throw in a few additional well-known stories and notable examples to see how their themes stack up:

16. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (1597) summary: Two teens from warring families fall in love and die rather than be kept apart from their families feud. 

theme: Passion is costly.

17. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818) summary: An ambitious scientist creates a monster without considering the larger implications. Chaos ensues.

theme: Knowledge can be dangerous when coupled with unbridled ambition.

18. Beloved by Toni Morrison (1987) summary: Formerly enslaved mother Sethe and her daugher Denver are haunted by the ghost of Sethe's oldest daughter who died when she was two-years-old. 

theme: The physical and psychological effects of slavery are damaging and long-lasting. 

19. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (2005) summary: In this dystopian novel, people are cloned and held in preparation to be life-long organ donors for others. 

theme: Freedom is a basic human desire. 

20. Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry (1959) summary: The Younger family grapples with identity and dreams in the wake of the death of their patriarch. 

theme: Dignity and family are worth more than money. 

The 5 most common themes in literature

You may have been asked to define universal themes as a part of a school assignment. Universal themes are those that transcend time and cultures, meaning they are often found to be true in real life no matter who you are or where you live. 

Granted, I haven't read all the books across time and space (yet), but there's a pretty good bet that one of these major themes might apply to what you're reading regardless of time period, genre, or culture: 

• Love conquers all.
• Things are not always what they seem.
• Good triumphs over evil.
• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 
• Blood (family) is thicker than water. 

Which other larger themes would you list here as some of the most common in literature? Share your theme examples in the comments . 

Why theme matters for writers

Why do themes matter for writers though? After all, isn't it enough to write an entertaining story? It can be, but exploring universal themes can help take your work to the next level. You don't have to identify a theme for your story and write everything to that end—in fact that might work against you. But when done well, it can enhance your story.

Here are a few reasons you may want to think about theme in your writing:

1. Coherence

Theme can bring together the various parts of a story, including plot and subplot, characters, symbols, and motifs. Readers can feel the variations on a theme laced throughout your story and done well, it's engaging and satisfying.

If your theme is love conquers all, then you likely have two people who over come incredible odds to be together. What are the other elements that subtly underscore it? Maybe there's a house that was built with love in the setting or maybe a secondary character is failing at love because they keep putting their work first. If it's subtle, those small details reinforce the main storyline.  

2. Significance

As we discussed, universal themes will resonate with readers, even when they haven't experienced the same events. Many of the works we've listed above are remembered and revered due in part to their lasting themes about human experience.

3. Expression

Theme is an opportunity to weave together your world view, experiences, perspective, and beliefs with artistic and creative possibilities. Theme serves as a unifying element as you express your vision. Try playing with theme in a story or other creative work to see how it pushes boundaries or got beyond the expected. 

In summary, theme can serve as the backbone of a story, giving it structure, depth, and resonance. It can help convey the writer's intended message and engage readers on multiple levels, making it a crucial element of literary and creative expression. 

Which other larger themes would you list as the most common in literature? Share your theme examples in the comments .

Set your timer for 15 minutes . Choose one of the common themes above and create a character who has strong beliefs about that theme. Now, write a scene where an event or person challenges that belief. How will the character react? Will they double-down and insist on their worldview? Or will they soften and consider alternatives? Will shock at the challenge plunge them into despair? Play with their reaction. 

Once you've written for 15 minutes, post your practice in the Pro Practice Workshop and leave feedback for a few other writers. 

Sue Weems is a writer, teacher, and traveler with an advanced degree in (mostly fictional) revenge. When she’s not rationalizing her love for parentheses (and dramatic asides), she follows a sailor around the globe with their four children, two dogs, and an impossibly tall stack of books to read. You can read more of her writing tips on her website .

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As we dive into a story, we’re hooked by characters, plots, and settings. However, beneath the surface lies a deeper element: the theme. A theme in literature is the story’s heart, weaving emotions and tones that connect us to its core.

As a writer, the theme of a story guides one to the direction one should follow while crafting the plot. But what does the theme mean in a story? In this article, we will decode the meaning of the theme in literature, its importance, and how it is used in a storyline.

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What is the theme of a story?

The theme of a story is the central element of its narrative. It is the underlying message that the author wants to convey to the reader. Serving as the backbone of a story, the theme of a story ties together all of its elements. A theme also works as a catalyst to bring together different narratives in one plot.

To understand the theme definition in a story better, let’s see some theme of a story examples:

• Survival: The novel Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe has a theme of survival as the lead character is shown surviving a shipwreck despite very adverse conditions on an isolated island. It is an excellent example of a theme in a story .
• Good vs. Evil: The popular series Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling showcases the good vs. evil theme through its story. The protagonist, Harry Potter can be seen fighting against the evil antagonist, Voldemort for the greater good of his people.
• Love and Sacrifice: Portrayed beautifully in A Thousand Splendid Suns , the themes of love and sacrifice are very evident in the novel written by Khaled Hosseini. From love towards their family to sacrificing their life for each other, the two protagonists, Mariam and Laila have a journey filled with hurdles. 

Want to know what is the theme definition in literature? Learn about themes in detail with exciting examples from literature! 

What is a theme in literature?

When we talk about what is a theme in literature, we’re referring to concepts and ideas that show up in many different types of writing. These ideas are like universal messages that can be seen in literature, independent of its genres and styles. 

Examples of themes in literature include: 

• Death: Emily Dickinson’s poem “Because I Could not Stop for Death” explores the themes of mortality and the afterlife, delving into the poet’s reflections on the concept of death and what may come afterward.
• Loss and Grief: In The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne’s contemplations about losing friends and the uncertainty regarding the well-being of her loved ones express the deep repercussions of war.
• Honesty: The fable The Boy Who Cried Wolf teaches the consequences of dishonesty as a boy’s false alarms lead to a lack of trust.

Now that we’ve seen the examples of themes in literature, let us understand the most common themes used in various forms of literature.

Seven common themes in literature

Love, whether expressed romantically, within families, or through platonic connections, continues to be a universally relevant theme in literature. The theme of love in literature is expansive, providing authors with the opportunity to showcase a broad spectrum of human emotions. 

Examples of literature with love as a theme include: 

The love between the sisters in Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.

Romantic love between Henry and the nurse Catherine in Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms.  

Forbidden love theme in a story between Romeo and Juliet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.  

Revenge is a strong and captivating theme in literature. This theme revolves around wanting to get back at someone for something they did wrong. It often looks closely at the emotional and mental challenges of seeking revenge.

Examples of literature with revenge as a theme include:

Victor and his creation embark on a journey of revenge in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.  

Edmont Dantes seeks revenge and redemption when he is put in jail for a crime he did not commit in Alexandre Dumas’s The Count of Monte Cristo.

Revenge is an important theme in the lives of most characters in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. Daenerys Targaryen seeks revenge for the House Targaryen.

3. Coming of Age

Popular in young adult literature, coming-of-age stories and poems have been liked by all age groups. This theme shows a character growing into adulthood. The different experiences that develop the characters , make them mature, lose their innocence, and grow into wiser people portray the theme of coming of age. 

Examples of literature with coming of age as a theme include: 

Holden Caufield from J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye is shown going through a journey of maturity and adulthood. 

Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn shows the journey of Huckleberry  Finn, and how he experiences the complexities of life.

To Kill a Mockingbird , by Harper Lee follows Scout Finch and her brother Jem as they learn the lessons of justice and human society, while growing up.

The courage theme in literature explores the human capacity to tackle adversities and stand strong despite threats. It resonates with readers by inspiring them to have bravery in their own life.

Examples of literature with courage as a theme include: 

Andy Weir’s The Martian shows how Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone on another planet. The plot exhibits the patience and courage that are needed to get him out of this situation.

J.R.R. Tolkien shows four hobbits, who are just like normal humans, face various adversities throughout The Lord of the Rings series. They triumph through it with courage and perseverance.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood is a popular example of courage theme in a story. This tale shines light on Offred’s struggles and oppression which she faces with bravery and intelligence.

5. Good vs. Evil

A contrast between moral forces represents the theme of good vs. evil in stories and poems, etc. It delves into the inherent struggle between right and wrong, virtue and vice. This theme explores the foundations of conflict and morality.

Examples of literature with good vs. evil as a theme include: 

Othello, a character from William Shakespeare’s famous play Othello is portrayed as a good man towards the beginning of the play. But he is vulnerable to manipulation by his deceitful “friend” Iago. Othello’s wife, Desdemona is a character who represents the positive aspects in the contrast between good and evil.

Good vs. evil is the central theme of C.S Lewis’s The Chronicles Of Narnia. The White Witch represents the evil, who wants to take over Narnia and rule over everyone. On the other side, the good is represented by a lion named Aslan who tries to protect Narnia from the evil witch.

In The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, the exploration of good and evil is central to the narrative. The novel delves into the complex dynamics among the three brothers and their relationships with their wealthy and influential father.

6. Redemption

In stories where redemption takes center stage, characters recognize their mistakes and work to correct the harm they’ve caused, resulting in an inspiring narrative. Narratives of redemption frequently include a transformed character making significant sacrifices. 

Examples of literature with redemption as a theme include: 

In Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, Amir is guilty of not saving his friend Hassan from an unfortunate event. Several years later, Amir, now a prosperous novelist residing in the United States, revisits a war-ravaged Afghanistan to rescue Hassan’s family and find redemption for his actions.

Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables is a good example of what is a theme in a story. It explores the genuine essence of redemption and grace by delving into the life and death of Jean Valjean. Valjean’s transformation from an ex-convict to a fully redeemed individual illustrates every person’s universal potential for redemption.

The theme of redemption was presented in the play A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It shows Scrooge, a man who is transformed from a greedy, selfish miser into a generous and good-natured character by the end.

Death is a popular theme across various elements of stories and literary works. Death as a theme delves into a broad spectrum of emotions, philosophies, and viewpoints. In certain instances, death is perceived as liberation from difficulties, and on other occasions, death is perceived as profound grief.

Examples of literature with death as a theme include: 

John Donne’s poem, Death Be Not Proud immediately addresses the theme of death from its opening line. The speaker, through the words “Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou are not so;” appears to mock death, portraying it as less fearsome than commonly perceived.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a relevant theme of the story example depicting death. For Hazel and Augustus, death is approaching soon as they are diagnosed with terminal diseases. They continue trying to live their lives to the fullest even though they know what the future holds for them.

Jojo Moyes Me Before You is a good example of a theme in a story reflecting death. This theme is a central and poignant element of the narrative.The story revolves around the relationship between Louisa Clark and Will Traynor. Will, facing a life of severe physical limitations, contemplates ending his life through euthanasia.

How to find the theme of a story

Understanding the theme of a story makes reading more interesting and helps you think more deeply. It lets you connect with the story in a meaningful way and encourages you to think about the bigger picture.

To understand what is a theme of a story, you can follow the steps below:

• Break down the story elements and map out the plot structure.
• Pinpoint the central topic or subject of the story: What is the primary focus?
• Scrutinize the main character: Explore the character’s emotions, reactions, actions, and interactions with others.
• Summarize the entire story: Reflect on the events, character development, and resolution of conflicts.
• Determine the lesson learned by the main character and consider its significance to both the story and broader life experiences.

Now that we’ve taken a closer look at how to find the theme of a story, let’s see how, as writers, we can develop a theme for writing stories. 

How to develop a theme of a story

• Identify core Ieas:

Delve into the fundamental ideas or messages you wish your story to communicate. What impressions or emotions do you want readers to carry with them after experiencing your narrative?

For example, if you are crafting a tale of resilience, identify key messages about overcoming adversity and the strength that emerges from challenges.

• Explore personal interests:

Reflect on your passions and convictions. Which themes resonate with you? Authenticity can be infused into your story by exploring topics that genuinely captivate your interest.

• Analyze your characters:

Scrutinize the motivations, conflicts, and character arcs within your story. Themes often naturally emerge from the journeys and transformations experienced by your characters.

• Consider genre and tone:

Ponder the genre and tone of your narrative. Think about the type of story you’re telling and how it feels. Different kinds of stories have certain themes, and the overall mood—whether it’s serious, funny, or sad—can shape the themes you explore.

For example, the genre of romance is closely related to the themes of love, hope, loss, and overcoming obstacles. 

• Examine the setting and period:

Explore how the setting and time contribute to your chosen themes. Consider how the cultural and historical context shapes the messages you intend to convey.

For example, If your story is set in a post-apocalyptic world, delve into how the environment and time influence themes like survival, resilience, and the consequences of human actions. 

• Create a theme statement:

Articulate the overarching theme of your story in a concise sentence. This statement should encapsulate the primary idea or message you wish readers to take away.

An example of a theme statement can be, “In a world plagued by adversity, this story explores the indomitable human spirit, illustrating that resilience and compassion prevail even in the darkest of times.”

• Consider multiple perspectives:

Investigate your theme from diverse viewpoints within your narrative. How might different characters or voices interpret and experience the central theme?

For example, you can explore the theme of justice through the eyes of both the accused and the accuser. By delving into the perspectives of various characters, the narrative sheds light on the complexity of morality.

• Use symbolism:

Employ symbolism and motifs to reinforce your chosen theme. Objects, colors, or recurring symbols can add layers and depth to the thematic elements of your narrative.

For example, the wilting rose symbolizes the fragility of love in the face of adversity. The withering petals mirror the challenges the characters face, reinforcing the theme of resilience.

• Reflect on real-world relevance:

Consider the real-world relevance of your theme. Explore how it connects to issues, emotions, or experiences that readers can relate to on a personal level.

• Seek feedback:

Share your theme statement or ideas with others and actively seek feedback. Engaging in discussions with beta readers, writing groups, or trusted friends can offer valuable insights and perspectives.

• Revise and refine:

Continuously revisit and refine your theme as you write and revise your story. Ensure that the thematic elements consistently resonate with and enhance the overall narrative.

Now that you’ve understood what is the theme of a story, you can weave themes in your plot to create memorable stories. They’re the magic that lingers, making stories unforgettable. 

So, the next time you embark on a literary journey, take a moment to unravel the theme woven through the pages, and you may find yourself immersed in a story that resonates long after the final word has been read. If you want to refine your themed story, you can always get the help of expert editing and proofreading services .

Keep reading to know more about crafting better stories! 

• 5 Elements of a Short Story & 6 Stages of a Plot
• Foil Character: Definition, History, & Examples
• What is Flash Fiction? Definition, Examples & Types
• What Is a Blurb? Meaning, Examples & 10 Expert Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

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The Meaning Behind Beyoncé’s ‘Freedom,’ the Harris Campaign Anthem

The song is a driving force behind Vice President Kamala Harris’s latest campaign ad. But the song’s origins offer deeper significance for a candidate hoping to make history.

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By Salamishah Tillet

• Aug. 22, 2024

Since Kamala’s Harris’s first appearance at campaign headquarters a month ago, the rousing strains of Beyoncé’s “Freedom” have been the candidate’s spirited anthem, blaring under the campaign ads and ahead of Harris’s speeches. The song, from the 2016 visual album “Lemonade,” builds momentum with each verse and features a chorus that is a striking call: “I break chains all by myself/Won’t let my freedom rot in hell/Hey! I’ma keep running/’Cause a winner don’t quit on themselves.”

It served as the driving force behind the latest campaign ad that debuted during Night 1 of the Democratic National Convention, which has itself been buoyed by energetic music throughout. It has also provided a sonic shift in messaging, offering Democrats a muscular keyword with widespread appeal to voters across partisan lines.

But the song’s origins and supporting videos, and Beyoncé’s live performances of it, offer a deeper meaning for a candidate hoping to make history as the first Black and South Asian woman president.

At the time of its initial release in spring 2016, “Freedom” appeared on what was, to that point, Beyoncé’s most politically explicit record to date. Its video paid clear tribute to Sybrina Fulton, Gwen Carr, Lezley McSpadden and Wanda Johnson, Black women whose sons — Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Michael Brown and Oscar Grant III — had been recently killed in racially charged incidents. In the video, the women sit next to each other as Beyoncé, dressed in a tiered white dress, belts the song in a visual performance that heightened the intensity and cathartic potential of the music. It features a verse from Kendrick Lamar, who raps, “But mama don’t cry for me, ride for me/Try for me, live for me.”

Along with Lamar’s 2015 single, “Alright,” the two artists released arguably the most enduring protest anthems of the Black Lives Matter movement within a span of months.

The song’s success is already resonating with the many and riling up others. Just yesterday, Beyoncé sent a cease-and-desist to Donald Trump’s campaign for its use of the song without permission on a social music video.

Salamishah Tillet is a contributing critic at large for The Times and a professor at Rutgers University. She won the Pulitzer Prize for criticism in 2022, for columns examining race and Black perspectives as the arts and entertainment world responded to the Black Lives Matter moment with new works. More about Salamishah Tillet

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Today's NYT Strands Hints (and Answer) for Saturday, August 24, 2024

If you’re looking for hints and answers for Strands for Saturday, August 24, 2024, read on—I’ll share some clues and tips, and finally the solution to the puzzle with the theme “Crumby theme.”

For an easy way to come back to our Strands hints every day, bookmark this page . You can also find our past hints there as well, in case you want to know what you missed in a previous puzzle.

Below, I’ll give you some oblique hints at today’s Strands answers. And farther down the page, I’ll reveal the spangram and the answers. Scroll slowly and take just the hints you need!

Hint for the spangram in today’s Strands puzzle

A type of “crumby” food that often comes in a square shape, and is usually eaten with cheese or soup.

Hint for the theme words in today’s Strands puzzle

These are all types of those foods described in the spangram—some are brand names, and some are more general categories or styles.

BEWARE: Spoilers follow for today’s Strands puzzle!

We’re about to give away the answers to today’s Strands puzzle. 

What is the spangram in today’s Strands?

Today’s spangram is CRACKERS.

What are the theme words in today’s Strands?

The theme words today are: ANIMAL, GOLDFISH, SALTINE, SODA, WATER, RICE, OYSTER.

Here’s what the board looks like when the puzzle is solved:

How I solved today’s Strands

Today’s puzzle probably consists of foods that are “crumby,” but I can’t think of any right off the bat. (Except for those Nature Valley bars , but that’s not likely to be a theme word.) 

Well, I can form the words WRIST and RACIST in the bottom left corner, but as expected, they are non-theme words. I can almost form the word WRETCHED, too, which makes me wonder whether the words could be synonyms for “crummy.” 

Ah ha, there’s SALTINE in the upper right corner. 🔵 A very crumby food, indeed.

I find TACO in the bottom half of the puzzle, but it’s not a hit—have they never had a hard-shell taco before? 

There’s the spangram from left to right: CRACKERS. 🟡

SODA is below the spangram, and that’s surprisingly a hit. 🔵 I don’t really see how that fits the theme—maybe soda bread? Oh, soda crackers, duh.

GOLDFISH lines the top of the spangram. 🔵

ANIMAL (referring to animal crackers) is in the upper left corner. 🔵

RICE splits the bottom half of the puzzle in half. 🔵

WATER is in the bottom left. 🔵

Lastly, OYSTER, my personal favorite. 🔵 Man, now I’m hungry.

How to play Strands

You can find the Strands game on the New York Times website and in the NYT Games app. 

When you start playing, you’ll see a game board with an assortment of letters, flanked by a clue that gives a hint at the board’s theme—this will be a phrase, like “Better with age.” Your job is to find the hidden words within the board that reflect the puzzle’s theme.

A crossword crossed with a word search

The most important word to find is the “spangram,” a word that more explicitly states the puzzle’s theme. (For example, the spangram for the puzzle with the theme "Better with age" is FERMENTED, which describes products that are, you guessed it, better with age.) The spangram will span the entire game board, either from left to right or top to bottom (hence the name). When you find the spangram, it will be highlighted in yellow. Solving the spangram usually makes the rest of the puzzle much easier to complete.

In Strands, words can travel any direction (up, down, left, right, and diagonal), and you will only use each letter once. There is only one correct solution. When you correctly identify one of the puzzle’s words (for example, KOMBUCHA, MISO, or KIMCHI), it will be highlighted in blue. 

If you are struggling to solve the puzzle, you can submit any non-theme words you see (as long as they are four letters or more) to receive credit toward a single hint. If you submit three non-theme words, the “Hint” button will be clickable; if you click it, all of the letters in one of the theme words will be highlighted for you. You will still have to link these highlighted letters in the right order to form one of the theme words. If there is already a hint on the board and you use another hint before solving for that word, that word’s letter order will be revealed.

How to win Strands

Unlike Connections and Wordle, you cannot fail Strands. When you submit guesses, you will either correctly identify an answer, receive credit toward a hint, or the text will shake back and forth, indicating that the word you submitted is too short or not valid. You can't run out of guesses, and there is no time limit.

You win when you’ve correctly used all the letters on the board, meaning that you have identified the spangram and all of the theme words. Like other NYT games, upon solving the puzzle, you will see a shareable card that indicates how you performed that day: blue dots 🔵 indicate theme words you found, the yellow dot 🟡 indicates when you found the spangram, and a lightbulb 💡 indicates words that you received a hint for.