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This page has links to readings, resources and information related to specific themes.
Definitions
Definitions
theme: a central idea in a literary work, which may be stated directly or indirectly
"What is a Literary Theme?" on NowNovel from Reedsy
"What is Theme? A Look at 20 Common Themes in Literature" on Writers.com
motif: one of the dominant ideas in a work of literature; a part of the main theme. It may consist of a character, a recurrent image or a verbal pattern.
leitmotif: a recurrent theme in a musical or literary work, often associated with a particular person, idea, or situation
symbol: anything that hints at something else, usually something abstract, such as an idea or belief. A literary symbol is an object, a person, a situation, or an action that has a literal meaning in a story but suggests or represents other meanings. For more information on symbolism in literature, see this symbolism handout from Del Mar College
List of Common Themes.pdfList of Common Themes from LiteraryDevices.net
Themes, Themes and more Themes
Themes, Themes and more Themes
There is an infinite number of themes. Here are just a few:
Home
Identity
Coming of Age
Parenthood
Health
Travel
Migration, being a foreigner or being in a foreign land, immigration/emigration
Creativity
Curiosity
Military/War
Conflict/Violence
Women’s Defiance & the Path to Liberation
Disasters
Memory
Storytelling
Dreams
abuse of power
action vs apathy
beating the odds
beauty
coming of age
corruption
courage
effects of the past
faith
fall from grace
family
fate
fear
fear of failure
freedom
friendship
greed
hate
heritage
heroes
honesty
innocence
justice
love
loyalty
manipulation
mothering
nature
need for change
obligation
parent-child relationships
peace
peer pressure
perseverance
Power of the mind vs
authority
prejudice
price of progress
pride
quest for knowledge
religion
revenge
secrecy
security/safety
seizing the moment
survival
the overlooked
the road not taken
war
winners and losers
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