{"id":4250,"date":"2013-06-29T03:10:10","date_gmt":"2013-06-29T03:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=4250"},"modified":"2026-03-25T15:15:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T20:15:52","slug":"theme","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/theme\/","title":{"rendered":"Themes in Literature"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_-TInpLd3rb8\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_-TInpLd3rb8\" data-source-videoID=\"-TInpLd3rb8\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Themes in Literature Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Themes in Literature\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_-TInpLd3rb8:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_-TInpLd3rb8 {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/703-themes-in-literature-2.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_-TInpLd3rb8\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_-TInpLd3rb8\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Themes in Literature\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_-TInpLd3rb8\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_-TInpLd3rb8\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_-TInpLd3rb8\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction k3W_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"k3W\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"k3W_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"k3W\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#What_is_Theme\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">What is Theme?<\/a>\n<ul><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h3\"><a href=\"#Theme_Definition_%E2%80%93_Literature\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Theme Definition \u2013 Literature<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h3\"><a href=\"#Example_of_Theme_in_a_Story\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Example of Theme in a Story<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Knowing_Major_Themes\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Knowing Major Themes<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Building_Your_Own_Themes\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Building Your Own Themes<\/a>\n<ul><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h3\"><a href=\"#Motifs_and_Symbols\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Motifs and Symbols<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label><input id=\"FAQs\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"FAQs\">FAQs<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Have you ever put down a book and wondered, what in the world did that <em>mean<\/em>? Chances are, the author didn\u2019t have a clearly defined theme worked out, or didn\u2019t execute it well. <\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"What_is_Theme\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>What is Theme?<\/h2>\n<h3>Theme Definition &#8211; Literature<\/h3>\n<p>\nA <strong>literary theme<\/strong> is the unifying or dominant idea in a work of fiction. This is not to be confused with the plot. The theme is the main topic or central idea. This can be as simple as \u201clove,\u201d \u201cfamily,\u201d or \u201crevenge.\u201d It can be as complicated as \u201cscience vs. nature,\u201d \u201cthe folly of youth,\u201d or \u201cthe treachery of commerce.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Every writer makes his or her writing about something, and that something, the essence of the story, is the theme. <\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Example_of_Theme_in_a_Story\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Example of Theme in a Story<\/h3>\n<p>\nFor example, a major theme in <em>Great Expectations<\/em> is that moral values are more important than wealth and status. Alienation is a primary theme in <em>Crime and Punishment<\/em>, while \u201ctrue love triumphs\u201d dominates the well-loved classic, <em>Princess Bride<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Knowing_Major_Themes\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Knowing Major Themes<\/h2>\n<p>\nWhat good does it do to know major themes? We\u2019ve already pointed out how a story without a uniting theme is often confusing and leaves the reader wanting more. Well, learning about themes isn\u2019t just a way to better analyze an author\u2019s finished work of fiction. It\u2019s also a way to improve your own writing. The stronger a writer\u2019s theme is, and the more in tune the writer is with that theme\u2019s execution, the better the work as a whole will be. <\/p>\n<p>For your own written work, ask yourself: what, under all the characters and subplots, is my story really about? Is it about love conquering all? About good triumphing over evil? About the dangers of progress? Often, your story will have a \u201c<strong>spine<\/strong>.\u201d This is a one-sentence description of the heart behind your book. For example, one could say the \u201cspine\u201d of <em>Pride and Prejudice<\/em> is \u201ca man and woman in the regency era overcome their preconceptions to ultimately find love\u201d while two major themes are matrimony and, you guessed it, prejudice.<\/p>\n<p>This might sound too simple, but that\u2019s okay. The theme is supposed to be an oversimplification of the story\u2019s meaning.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Building_Your_Own_Themes\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Building Your Own Themes<\/h2>\n<p>\nOnce you\u2019ve defined your theme and the spine of your story, it\u2019s helpful to look at all your characters, situations, and plot developments through this lens. Say your theme is \u201clove fails in the end.\u201d Even at the happiest moments of your love story, it might be wise to include some foreshadowing of love\u2019s imminent doom. This helps enrich your writing.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Motifs_and_Symbols\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Motifs and Symbols<\/h3>\n<p>\nTwo of the primary ways to build a theme in writing are through <strong>motifs<\/strong> and <strong>symbols<\/strong>. A motif is a recurring literary structure that helps develop your theme. It\u2019s a meaningful pattern that reuses objects, characters, even weather, to further emphasize the theme.<\/p>\n<p>For example, in <em>The Great Gatsby<\/em>, changing weather patterns reflect the shifting tone of the story. The weather is overwhelmingly hot when characters feel suffocated by a situation, tension is connected to storms, and the day of Gatsby\u2019s funeral it\u2019s pouring rain. <\/p>\n<p>A symbol is like a motif, but on a smaller scale. It\u2019s an image, character, or object that has a meaning beneath the immediate surface. Let\u2019s stick with The Great Gatsby in our explanation. In the novel, Gatsby is still in love with a former flame, Daisy. He\u2019s come up in the world since their last meeting, and now lives across the lake from her in an enormous mansion. Daisy has a green light on the edge of her dock, and Gatsby watches that light from the edge of his own dock. This is an example of symbolism. There\u2019s nothing to suggest Gatsby is particularly infatuated with green lights, but for him the light symbolizes Daisy, who seems to him unattainable.<\/p>\n<p>In summary, a literary theme is different than a plot. While a plot is the order of events in a work of fiction, the theme involves the overall meaning and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/writing-purpose-and-audience\/\"><strong>purpose<\/strong><\/a> of the book. The theme is where fiction intersects with life. It may be a story about hobbits in Middle Earth, but the theme of friendship and good conquering evil is still applicable in real life.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks for watching, and I\u2019ll see you next time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"FAQs-spoiler\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-list\">\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is theme?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>A theme is often the main idea, topic, or subject in a narrative. Themes are often divided into two categories: what readers think the work is about and what the text declares about the subject.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How do you find a theme in literature?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>After identifying the story\u2019s plot, characterization within the story, and the main conflict in the story, you can identify the story\u2019s theme, which is the point that the writer wanted to express in the text.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What are some common themes in literature?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Some common themes in literature are love, redemption, good vs. evil, courage, perseverance, coming of age, mystery, and revenge.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/writing\/\">Return to Writing Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Writing Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99730,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-4250","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-reading-comprehension-videos","7":"page_category-video-pages-for-study-course-sidebar-ad","8":"page_category-writing-videos","9":"page_type-video","10":"subject_matter-english"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4250","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4250"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4250\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":279460,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4250\/revisions\/279460"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}