Themes

What is theme? Here’s a quick and simple definition:

A theme is a universal idea, lesson, or message explored throughout a work of literature. One key characteristic of literary themes is their universality, which is to say that themes are ideas that not only apply to the specific characters and events of a book or play, but also express broader truths about human experience that readers can apply to their own lives.

Examples of themes can be:

• Acceptance
• Courage
• Perseverance
• Cooperation
• Compassion
• Honesty
• Kindness
• Loyalty
• Equality
• Being Yourself
• Hope
• Fairness
• Friendship
• Loneliness
• Jealousy