Theme in LiteratureAn Introduction

Definition

Theme is the writer’s message,

or underlying idea of the work.

Characteristics Most stories, novels, plays, and sometimes

poems have more than one theme.

Some works, like many mysteries, might have no theme. They’re just entertainment.

Some themes are easy to spot.

Often you have to be a detective to discover the theme. It’ll be up to you to put the author’s clues together.

Theme and Subject

The theme, however, makes some statement about or expresses some opinion on that topic.

The subject is the topic on which the author has chosen to write.

It is important to recognize the difference between the theme of a literary work and the subject of a literary work.

Example

The subject of a story might be war, while the theme of that same story might be the idea that war is useless.

How do authors express theme?

Through thoughts and conversations

Through specific actions or events

Through the feelings of the main character

Through what the main character learns

Three Step Plan

By following three easy steps you will be able to focus on the themes of a story, novel, poem, or even a play!

Step 1Find the “big ideas” or general topics in the work.

childhood

courage

death

faith

family

freedom

friendship

growing up

hate

hope

identity

justice

independence

love

loyalty

nature

patience

patriotism

prejudice

Race relations

self-reliance

success

trust

unhappiness violence

war

self-improvement

Step 2Find out what the characters do and say

that relates to the general topics.

Repeated words or ideasSymbolsImportant plot events or dialogueChanges in characters

Step 3Come up with a statement of the author’s point

or message about the topic.

Remember a theme is not the same as the topic or subject. A theme is the idea the writer wants to reveal about that topic and must be expressed in a complete sentence.

Theme

OrganizerYou can use a

Theme Organizer to

help you write about a theme.

Big Idea

What characters do or say

What character

s do or say

What character

s do or say

What is importan

t to learn

Tips for Making Theme Statements

Make a Point

A theme statement needs to be a complete sentence that makes a point.

“The theme is that parents and children need to talk more.”

Tips for MakingTheme Statements

Avoid Using Vague Words Be as precise as you can

concerning what particular message about life the writer is trying to get across. Steer clear of abstract and general words, such as important, good, or bad.

Tips for MakingTheme Statements

Avoid Using Character Names A good theme statement applies to people

in general, not just to the specific characters in the story.

Turn from specific:

“Cassie learns that the Logan land is important.”

Into general:

“People should not give up their land without a fight.”

Summing UpWhat you need to remember about theme!

A story’s theme is different from its topic or subject.

The topic is simply what it’s about. Theme is the author’s point about the topic.

More Summing UpWhat you need to remember about theme!

Follow a three-step plan for understanding theme.

1.Find the “big ideas.”2.Pay attention to what the characters

do and say that relate to the topic.3.Write a theme statement.

Final Summing UpWhat you need to remember about theme!

• Not all interpretations of a work will be exactly the same.

• You may come up with a theme

statement that’s different from that of another reader.

• That’s fine, so long as you both can support your ideas with evidence from the text.