Theme

Definition of Theme

As a literary device, theme is the central topic or idea explored in a text. Usually the theme of a work of literature can be stated in one word, such as “love” or “solitude.” A work of literature can, and often does, have more than one theme. The theme is generally not stated explicitly in the text, but instead is expressed through the characters’ actions, words, and thoughts.

Thematic Concept vs. Thematic Statement

The definition of theme can be broken into two categories: the thematic concept of a work and the thematic statement. The thematic concept refers to what a reader understands the work to be about, while the thematic statement refers to what the work says about that subject in question. The thematic concept thus is usually an abstract concept, like “love” or “solitude” as we said before, while the thematic statement usually is a sentence highlighting the argument Links to an external site. of the piece of literature. The thematic statement often comments on the way the human condition affects or is affected by the abstract concept of the theme. For example, the theme of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace is stated directly in the title—war and peace. The thematic statement could be something about the irrationality of human decision-making in times of both war and peace, and the search for the meaning of life in the face of this irrationality.

Overall, the theme is a big idea, the thematic statement is how, exactly, the author feels about the idea. 

There may be minor themes in a work as well: these are ideas that are of lesser importance or presence in the work. 

Also, theme is not the same as subject. Subject is the topic, theme is what the author wants to say about the topic. Fro example: a book may be about a love triangle, but the theme is how the author thinks that loves is self-destructive.

All works of literature contain some sort of theme. Themes are generally universal in nature, and relate to the condition of being human. Thus the theme in a work of literature crosses boundaries and makes a story meaningful to people to any culture or age. While readers may not understand all the references and language in a book from a different time period or culture, the theme of the novel is what makes it comprehensible.

More Explanations and Examples Links to an external site.

Common Themes

Man vs Man

Man vs Society

Man vs Nature

abstract ideas and how the author presents them

Questions to Ask

What ideas keep coming up in the work? Is there a repeated word or synonym? If you summed up what the piece was about in one word, what would it be? What about humanity or the world does the author have to say? What is the subject, the theme and how do they work together? How does the setting, plot, character and point of view connect to the theme? What selections from the work prove your point?

Themes Examples

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-ORhEE9VVg Links to an external site.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYSVMgRr6pw Links to an external site.

Link Links to an external site.

Lyrics of "Say Something," A Great Big WorldLink Links to an external site.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7WXRNQT9ko Links to an external site.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSnw1JaL2uA Links to an external site.