Literary Themes
What is theme?
The theme of a book is the message or the lesson that the author is trying to convey. It is different from the plot, which is the events that happen in the book.
A theme has the following characteristics:
• It is a message or lesson about life that is broadly applicable—it is true for situations beyond the story.
• It is a statement, not just a topic. That is, friendship is not a theme. However, friendship can bring comfort in times of hardship could be a theme.
• Different books or movies can have similar themes. For example, Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel both convey the message that you should be careful about who you trust, because people may not share their true intentions. The plots of these fairy tales are quite different, but their themes are similar.
Below is a list of common themes our reading will address this year. Please use this list when thinking or writing about our reading.
1. Nature can present many challenges to humans.
2. We cannot escape our fates.
3. Family is our most important support.
4. Love is what makes life worth living.
5. Dangerous situations can make people become leaders.
6. To be truly happy, you must do what you know is right, even if it is unpopular.
7. People often do not appreciate what they have until it is gone.
8. Water is our most important resource.
9. In wartime, ordinary rules and routines vanish.
10. Individuals are able to survive in challenging environments in remarkable ways.
11. All people have the same basic needs.
12. Sometimes we have to abandon things that are important to us in order to survive.
13. Education is a force of change in society.
14. Sometime people struggle against societal or peer pressure.
15. Friendship can help people overcome hardship.
16. Complete assimilation can cause a loss of self.
Sources:
Rachel Mork, “12 Most Common Themes in Literature” www.life123.com;
“Literature,” www.learner.org;
Angela Bunyi, “Finding THE Message: Grasping Themes in Literature,” www.scholastic.comEngage New York, "A Long Walk to Water Module," www.engageny.org
The theme of a book is the message or the lesson that the author is trying to convey. It is different from the plot, which is the events that happen in the book.
A theme has the following characteristics:
• It is a message or lesson about life that is broadly applicable—it is true for situations beyond the story.
• It is a statement, not just a topic. That is, friendship is not a theme. However, friendship can bring comfort in times of hardship could be a theme.
• Different books or movies can have similar themes. For example, Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel both convey the message that you should be careful about who you trust, because people may not share their true intentions. The plots of these fairy tales are quite different, but their themes are similar.
Below is a list of common themes our reading will address this year. Please use this list when thinking or writing about our reading.
1. Nature can present many challenges to humans.
2. We cannot escape our fates.
3. Family is our most important support.
4. Love is what makes life worth living.
5. Dangerous situations can make people become leaders.
6. To be truly happy, you must do what you know is right, even if it is unpopular.
7. People often do not appreciate what they have until it is gone.
8. Water is our most important resource.
9. In wartime, ordinary rules and routines vanish.
10. Individuals are able to survive in challenging environments in remarkable ways.
11. All people have the same basic needs.
12. Sometimes we have to abandon things that are important to us in order to survive.
13. Education is a force of change in society.
14. Sometime people struggle against societal or peer pressure.
15. Friendship can help people overcome hardship.
16. Complete assimilation can cause a loss of self.
Sources:
Rachel Mork, “12 Most Common Themes in Literature” www.life123.com;
“Literature,” www.learner.org;
Angela Bunyi, “Finding THE Message: Grasping Themes in Literature,” www.scholastic.comEngage New York, "A Long Walk to Water Module," www.engageny.org
Writing About the Theme
Every novel covers multiple themes, but when writing for this class you should choose only one theme to write about. Writing about the theme of a novel is not a summary. Instead you are trying to convince the reader that the theme you are writing about is the most important theme of the novel. To do this, you write about the portions of the novel that focus on your theme. Once we get started on our first theme essay, I will help you to plan your essay around your focus theme.
If you want to get a head start, think about a novel you have read. Which of the above themes fit the novel? What parts of the novel do not support that theme? How could you tell the story of only the theme of that novel?
If you want to get a head start, think about a novel you have read. Which of the above themes fit the novel? What parts of the novel do not support that theme? How could you tell the story of only the theme of that novel?