ten common literary themes created by kathryn reilly

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Ten Common Literary Themes Created by Kathryn Reilly

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Page 1: Ten Common Literary Themes Created by Kathryn Reilly

Ten Common Literary Themes

Created by Kathryn Reilly

Page 2: Ten Common Literary Themes Created by Kathryn Reilly

Defining Theme

• Theme is a unifying idea that an author communicates in a work.

• Themes are abstract ideas that an author explores through concrete means such as characters and settings.

– Note: Many literary works may have multiple themes.

Page 3: Ten Common Literary Themes Created by Kathryn Reilly

Common Literary Themes:Good vs. Evil

• Works with this literary theme struggle to define good and evil.

• Definitions of good and evil may change depending on the era and society.

• Characters may wrestle with their actions and the consequences of their actions.

• Literary works exploring this theme include:

– Beowulf– Frankenstein– The Crucible– Othello– Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde– The Lord of the Rings

Page 4: Ten Common Literary Themes Created by Kathryn Reilly

Common Literary Themes:The Journey

• Works with this literary theme follow a character through many events and adventures.

• The journey may be a physical, emotional or spiritual journey.

• Throughout the journey the character learns new things about himself and the world, and becomes a wiser individual.

• Literary works exploring this theme include:

– The Odyssey– Their Eyes were Watching God– Gone with the Wind– Don Quixote– The Call of the Wild

Page 5: Ten Common Literary Themes Created by Kathryn Reilly

Common Literary Themes:Coming of Age

• Works with this literary theme focus on a character leaving adolescence and entering adulthood.

• As the character loses his or her innocence, he or she gains a more realistic view of the world.

• Literary works exploring this theme include:

– Huckleberry Finn– To Kill a Mockingbird– Lord of the Flies– Catcher in the Rye

Page 6: Ten Common Literary Themes Created by Kathryn Reilly

Common Literary Themes:The Role of Fate

• Works with this literary theme explore how many of life’s events are beyond humanity’s control.

• Characters must come to terms with life’s unpredictability and decide how to respond to it.

• Literary works exploring this theme include:

– Oedipus Rex– Siddharta– The Great Gatsby

Page 7: Ten Common Literary Themes Created by Kathryn Reilly

Common Literary Themes:Sacrifice

• Works with this literary theme examine the necessity of sacrifice in order to obtain a goal.

• The sacrifice may be a tangible item, or an intangible idea or quality.

• Literary works exploring this theme include:

– A Tale of Two Cities– Death of a Salesman– “The Gift of the Magi”

Page 8: Ten Common Literary Themes Created by Kathryn Reilly

Common Literary Themes:Overcoming Adversity

• Works with this literary theme present characters who must overcome great obstacles in their lives.

• Characters must choose how to respond to difficult situations and endure circumstances when they cannot be altered.

• Literary works exploring this theme include:

– Jane Eyre– Vanity Fair– The Scarlet Letter

Page 9: Ten Common Literary Themes Created by Kathryn Reilly

Common Literary Themes:The Cost of Revenge

• Works with this literary theme explore both the tangible and intangible costs of revenge.

• Novels with this theme often warn against revenge, as many characters face unhappy endings.

• Literary works exploring this theme include:

– Moby Dick– The Count of Monte

Cristo– Wuthering Heights

Page 10: Ten Common Literary Themes Created by Kathryn Reilly

Common Literary Themes:Importance of Friendship

• Works with this literary theme examine the importance of friendship.

• Friendship between characters is often tested, and authors explore what being a good friend entails.

• Literary works exploring this theme include:

– Watership Down– The Kite Runner– Of Mice and Men

Page 11: Ten Common Literary Themes Created by Kathryn Reilly

Common Literary Themes:Heritage and Family

• Works with this literary theme explore the importance of one’s heritage and family in understanding oneself.

• Authors may explore different ideas of family and how family shapes the individual.

• Literary works exploring this theme include:

– Roots– Little Women– One Hundred Years of

Solitude– The Joy Luck Club

Page 12: Ten Common Literary Themes Created by Kathryn Reilly

Common Literary Themes:Death’s Inevitability

• Works with this literary theme explore humanity’s fear of death.

• Characters often review their lives and meditate upon what awaits them after death.

• Novels with this theme may also examine society’s views on death.

• Literary works exploring this theme include:

– The Death of Ivan Illyich– Death Comes for the

Archbishop– A Christmas Carol– As I Lay Dying

Page 13: Ten Common Literary Themes Created by Kathryn Reilly

Common Theme Review

• A theme is a unified idea an author explores in his or her work.

• Themes are abstract ideas.

• Literary works may have more than one theme.