ThemeTheme Definition of themeDefinition of theme Elements of ThemeElements of Theme How to “find” themesHow to “find” themes Examples of themesExamples of themes

Theme definedTheme defined A central idea or “truth” that a work A central idea or “truth” that a work

of literature expressesof literature expresses A comment that a work of literature A comment that a work of literature

makes on the human conditionmakes on the human condition

ThemeTheme Versus Versus SubjectSubject Subject: what a work is about. It can Subject: what a work is about. It can

usually be expressed in one word. For usually be expressed in one word. For example, “Love” is a example, “Love” is a subject subject of of Romeo Romeo and Julietand Juliet

ThemeTheme: What does the work : What does the work say say about about the subject? It should be a complete the subject? It should be a complete sentence or statement. For example, “In sentence or statement. For example, “In Romeo and Juliet, we learn that adolescent Romeo and Juliet, we learn that adolescent romance can be a stronger force than romance can be a stronger force than family ties.”family ties.”

Theme Theme must go beyond the must go beyond the bookbook

To be a true theme, the truth or To be a true theme, the truth or comment must apply to people or to life comment must apply to people or to life in general, not just the characters in the in general, not just the characters in the book. For example, “In Beauty and the book. For example, “In Beauty and the Beast, Belle learns that true beauty Beast, Belle learns that true beauty comes from within,” only applies to the comes from within,” only applies to the story. Instead, express the theme like story. Instead, express the theme like this: “In Beauty and the Beast, we learn this: “In Beauty and the Beast, we learn through Belle and the beast that true through Belle and the beast that true beauty comes from within.” beauty comes from within.”

Multiple themes are possible!Multiple themes are possible! Many books have more than one Many books have more than one

theme, so do not think that there is theme, so do not think that there is one “right” theme to any book you one “right” theme to any book you read. In fact, most great literature read. In fact, most great literature has multiple themes. has multiple themes.

Themes must be supported!Themes must be supported! Just because works can have multiple Just because works can have multiple

themes, it does not mean that the theme themes, it does not mean that the theme can be anything that you want. can be anything that you want.

In order for a theme to be justified, there In order for a theme to be justified, there must be must be specific, concrete specific, concrete evidence from evidence from the text. For example, if your potential the text. For example, if your potential theme statement is that “Poverty creates theme statement is that “Poverty creates tough, self-reliant people,” then the book tough, self-reliant people,” then the book should contain examples of poor should contain examples of poor characters who develop toughness and characters who develop toughness and self-reliance. self-reliance.

Themes should not go too farThemes should not go too far Be careful about the scope of a Be careful about the scope of a

themetheme Be especially cautious in using words Be especially cautious in using words

such as such as every, all, alwaysevery, all, always; words ; words such as such as some, sometimes, some, sometimes, andand may may work better. work better.

Themes ≠ ClichésThemes ≠ Clichés Try to resist the temptation to reduce Try to resist the temptation to reduce

a work’s theme to an old, worn-out a work’s theme to an old, worn-out phrase, such as “Don’t judge a book phrase, such as “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” by its cover.”

Instead, strive for fresh and original Instead, strive for fresh and original ways to express what you feel the ways to express what you feel the work is saying. work is saying.

Themes≠Lessons or MoralsThemes≠Lessons or Morals Beware of confusing “theme” with Beware of confusing “theme” with

moral.moral. Although some works of literature do Although some works of literature do

suggest how we suggest how we shouldshould act, many act, many great works simply comment on how great works simply comment on how people people reallyreally act. act.

Rather than asking what a novel Rather than asking what a novel teachesteaches, ask yourself what the novel , ask yourself what the novel revealsreveals. .

Finding the themeFinding the theme Asking questionsAsking questions What is the subject?What is the subject? What does the book say, or reveal, What does the book say, or reveal,

about the subject?about the subject? How How does the work communicate the does the work communicate the

theme? In other words, what specific theme? In other words, what specific details, characters, actions, details, characters, actions, incidents, etc, suggest the truth of incidents, etc, suggest the truth of the theme statement?the theme statement?

Sample Theme StatementsSample Theme Statements The theme of The theme of The Old Man and the Sea The Old Man and the Sea is is

that striving, struggling, and suffering are that striving, struggling, and suffering are the only ways to achieve victory.the only ways to achieve victory.

In In My Antonia, My Antonia, Willa Cather demonstrates Willa Cather demonstrates that the land is what makes people happy that the land is what makes people happy and fulfilled. and fulfilled.

In In Lord of the Flies, Lord of the Flies, William Golding William Golding suggests that a democracy is better than a suggests that a democracy is better than a dictatorship. dictatorship.