Literature Themes are the underlying meaning or main idea an author explores in a novel, short story, or other literary work. The theme of a story is usually conveyed using characters, setting, dialogue, plot, or a combination of all of these elements. The theme may be a moral or message. However, in complex stories, the central theme is generally a more open-ended exploration of some fundamental aspect of humanity or society.
A subject is not a theme; a subject is some dimension of the human condition discussed in a story; a theme on the other hand is a statement, direct or implied, about the subject.
Common themes of literature:
The best known literary themes explore human nature on a universal level. It’s no wonder, then, that a large number of books may share the same central idea. Given below are given some popular themes that ponder over the human condition and offer audiences some food for thought after the story is finished.
Six common literature types are:
- Good vs evil
- Love
- Redemption
- Courage and perseverance
- Coming of age
- Revenge
1. Good vs evil:
A story about good conquering evil may pit two characters directly against each other. The theme of good versus evil stretches even beyond Biblical times be it a direct battle between altruism and antagonism or between light and dark. The theme of good versus evil is usually explored through the external actions and dialogue of the characters; or via their internal struggle to do the right thing when faced with temptation.
2. Love:
As in life and so in literature, Love is one of the most universal themes. The theme of love has been an integral and popular theme being discussed across the eras. Love, sometimes, is a force for good that inspires people to sacrifice themselves for others. And Love as well can be a toxic force that drives people to madness or violence. Different facets of love as a literary theme include:
- Forbidden love: In forbidden love stories, lovers often find themselves heading towards a tragic fate. Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare and Atonement by Ian McEwan are some of the examples of forbidden love stories.
- Family love: These are the stories about the love between parents and children or siblings and often explore the costs or challenges of family loyalty.
- Unrequited love: are the stories that reflect the pain of loving someone who does not return your affection. It is a frequent subject in literature.
- Friendship: These stories depict people in friendship going through hard times and change them for better or worse over the course. It is an especially common theme in young adult literature.
3. Redemption:
In stories that employ redemption as a central theme, characters see the errors of their ways and strive to right the wrongs they’ve committed, making up for a compelling uplifting tale. Tragedies and hurdles set the stage for a sad story but the end can be redeemed still. Stories of redemption often end in a reformed character sacrificing his or her freedom or life. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo is a popular redemption tale that has stood the test of time and continues to be a subject that is explored by many authors.
4. Courage and perseverance:
The victory of the human spirit in the face of challenges is a hugely popular theme in literature, film, and real life. Characters in these stories about courage endure difficult circumstances or impossible odds and still persevere through sheer determination, grit, and gall.
5. Coming of age:
A typical coming-of-age story follows one or more characters during their journey of growing up into adulthood. It is also known as a bildungsroman. Here, the characters may experience everything from a loss of innocence to an awakening or self-awareness before finally reaching maturity. Coming of age stories are primarily popular in young adult literature at the same time, they’re also common in memoirs.
6. Revenge:
A common ploy in literature, the theme of revenge sets up a conflict between one character and his or her enemies. Over the course, he or she journeys to avenge wrongs done to them. A revenge story often depicts the trials a character endures in order to achieve their vengeance. It may also explore the human cost and moral dilemmas around pursuing vengeance in the first place. Stories that have used revenge as their central theme include The Iliad by Homer; Carrie by Stephen King; The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas; and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
Suggested read: Types of writers styles
Incorporating a solid literary theme into your story doesn’t happen by accident, but it is not that incredibly difficult either. There have been some time-tested practices that continue to be relevant in developing the theme of your story. As you weave them in, they become as subtle as the theme itself.
Put your characters in conflict with one another: Most themes center on controversial ideas that bring about a conflict among human beings. Conflicts create more opportunities for actions, choices, and conversations that enable them, and your readers, to tackle your theme head-on.
Reinforce your theme with motifs: A motif is a recurring detail that highlights the central ideas in a story through repetition. The motif is generally used to shed additional light on the theme and also remind readers of its existence.
Represent your theme with symbols: Symbols are tools that are used to represent something else while still supporting the theme. A symbol may appear one time or can be recurrent throughout the story.
Literary themes may seem limited but they cover the major of humanity’s trials and tribulations. Put together they cover most of the subject matter concerning society.
