- Good vs. evil.
- Love.
- Redemption.
- Courage and perseverance.
- Coming of age.
- Revenge.
What are the most popular themes in books?
Themes About Emotions and Attitudes
- Accepting Differences. Learning how to accept differences is a common theme in children's literature. ...
- Bravery and Courage. Bravery and courage are often the focus of children's books. ...
- Compassion for Others. Compassion is a recurrent theme in children's literature. ...
- Honesty and Trust. ...
- Self-Concept. ...
What are some common themes in books?
What are good themes for a story?
- Love. It should come as no surprise that the theme of love takes the top spot on our list.
- Death. Another of life and literature’s universal themes, death, comes in second.
- Good vs.
- Coming of age.
- Power and corruption.
- Survival.
- Courage and heroism.
- Prejudice.
What are the 12 most common themes in literature?
- Death (inevitability, dealing with it, looming or overshadowing life, giving meaning to life, etc.)
- Vengeance/retribution/payback
- Jealousy (as motivator or destroyer)
- Fate
- Man vs. ...
- Man vs. ...
- The underdog wins
- Goodness/love/virtue triumphs over evil/darkness/emptiness (aka the triumph of the human spirit)
- The value/rewards of suffering/waiting
What are some good themes for books?
Good versus evil has been a literary theme since the dawn of time. It is the classic conflict that nearly every story is based around: the good guys versus the bad guys. This theme is debatably number one on the list of the most common themes in literature. This theme is pretty self explanatory.
What is the theme of a book?
How Can You Find a Theme in Books?
Why are universal themes so popular?
What is the theme of the Scarlet Letter?
What is the theme of Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment?
What is the theme of the Three Musketeers?
What are some examples of immortality?
See 4 more
About this website
A Huge List of Common Themes - Literary Devices
Literature Themes in literature are often varied and hidden. Sometimes you can get through an entire book and not realize what the author meant. However, this is a good basic list that you can build from. Remember that some books… Read more →
What are the themes of literature?
However, this is a good basic list that you can build from. Remember that some books have multiple themes. Capitalism – effect on the individual. Character – destruction, building up.
Is the theme of a poem apparent?
Themes in poetry are often quite apparent, but that isn’t always the case. Sometimes the theme doesn’t make itself apparent and is instead up to the reader. Reading a poem aloud often helps with understanding the theme. Here are some examples:
What is the theme of a story?
The theme of a story refers to that story’s deeper meaning. All works of literature contend with certain complex ideas, and theme is how a story or poem approaches these ideas.
How does the theme of a story affect the story?
The theme of a story affects everything else: the decisions that characters make, the mood that words and images build, the moral that readers interpret, etc. Recognizing how writers utilize various themes in literature will help you craft stronger, more nuanced works of prose and poetry.
What is the coming of age?
Also known as a bildungsroman, Coming of Age involves the intense experiences of growing up, and how these experiences shape the future of the protagonist.
What is the play Hamlet about?
By contrast, the play Hamlet is about the son of a recently-executed king. Hamlet seeks justice for his father and vows to kill Claudius—his father’s killer—but routinely encounters the paradox of revenge. Can justice really be found through more bloodshed?
What is a motif in literature?
A motif is an idea that occurs throughout a literary work. Think of the motif as a facet of the theme: it explains, expands, and contributes to themes in literature. Motif develops a central idea without being the central idea itself.
What is the topic of a poem?
The “topic” of a piece of literature answers the question: What is this piece about? In other words, “topic” is what actually happens in the story or poem.
Do all works of literature have central ideas?
All works of literature have these “central ideas,” even if those ideas aren’t immediately understandable.
What is the theme of good versus evil?
It is the classic conflict that nearly every story is based around: the good guys versus the bad guys. This theme is debatably number one on the list of the most common themes in literature.
What is the theme of courage?
Courage. The theme of courage is arguably one of the top five most prevalent themes in literature. Courage is crucial to storytelling. Protagonists frequently find themselves in dire predicaments whilst stubbornly pursuing their ambitions.
What is the theme of faith versus doubt?
It is common to associate faith versus doubt solely with religion. However, this theme transcends beyond the exclusive domain of divinity. This theme is present in so many aspects of literature.
Why are names important in stories?
In storybooks, names hold tremendous importance. They mark history, recount tales, and bring people together.
What does death mean in a novel?
Deaths serve to convey some particular message or lesson to the reader. The most common message being that death comes for us all, even the best of us. Depending on what type of novel you find yourself reading, deaths can pop up repeatedly. Plots can be based around these deaths. Same with the dialogue.
Why do novelists not stray away from themes?
Generally, novelists do not stray away from these common themes because they have proven their worth time and time again. Today, we will be analyzing 25 of these explicit themes in detail as well as the reasons behind why they work so well. Common literary themes include the following:
Do protagonists pursue their ambitions on their own?
A protagonist rarely pursues their ambitions on their own. Typically, there is a network of loyal friends to pick the protagonist up when they stumble.
What is friendship in books?
Friends, it’s often said, are the family we choose for ourselves — and the bonds we have with them are just as complex, potentially tense, or heart-warming as familial bonds. Childhood friends are often at the heart of children’s classics like The Secret Garden or Charlotte’s Web. In books for young readers, friendship is commonly praised for its selflessness and camaraderie. It remains a common theme for books that deal with young adulthood, coming-of-age narratives, and even later life, as titles like Teddy Wayne’s Apartment, Zadie Smith’s Swing Time, Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life and Carolina de Robertis’ Cantoras show. In such stories, friendship is also thematized for its absence, its tensions, shortfalls, and failings. No single friendship is the same, and the same is true of their literary representations.
What does hope mean in books?
Hope springs in the most unlikely places — and for books, that often means stories of loss, despair, or disaster. Memoirs of suffering or hardship, like Paul Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air, tend to end on a note of hope, whereas stories about social issues like racism or climate change also tend to locate reasons for optimism. Examples here include Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give, Richard Powers’ The Overstory, and Ruth Ozeki’s A Tale for the Time Being.
What is literature for writers?
For some writers, literature is a place to try and answer that question for themselves or the group they identify with; for others, it’s a place to dismiss the need for labels and embrace a self that exists at the intersections of various groups.
Is literature a universal theme?
By nature, literary themes are broad and universal. It’s no wonder, then, that certain themes come up again and again across the spectrum of literature, from novels and short stories to poetry and creative nonfiction. That’s not to say that works which share a common theme tackle it in the same way — indeed, the beauty of themes in literature is ...
Do you need to tackle a theme in a book?
We hope this list has been handy! Remember that your own book doesn’t need to tackle a new-found, unbelievably novel theme to have merit: as long as you approach a theme in a fresh way, it’s completely natural for others to have discussed it before you.
What is the theme of the book The Kid and the Chameleon?
Learning how to accept differences is a common theme in children's literature. The Kid and the Chameleon, written by Sheri Mabry and illustrated by Joanie Stone, is a picture book based on this theme. The young heroine learns to respect that her Chameleon friend doesn't like the same activities that she enjoys. Through pictures and words, youngsters learn that getting along requires give and take. There are many children's books about cultural diversity.
What is the theme of Amos McGee's book?
Loyalty is a recurrent theme in many children's books. This theme is illustrated very well in A Sick Day for Amos McGee, written by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Erin E. Stead. This picture book tells the story of Amos, a zookeeper who goes above and beyond to bond with the zoo animals each day. When Amos is sick and misses his rounds, the animals miss him. Rather than complaining that Amos isn't there for them, they take it upon themselves to visit him, repaying his loyalty in kind.
What is fairness in children's literature?
Fairness is a common theme in children's literature. The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone is a classic tale that conveys the message that it's only fair to share in the work if you expect to benefit from the results of that work. Animals who refuse to help the title character gather the ingredients to make bread find themselves going without after the hen makes the bread. If only they had contributed, it would have been fair for them to expect the hen to share.
What is the theme of Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen?
Compassion is a recurrent theme in children's literature. In Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen, author DyAnne Disalvo Ryan seeks to encourage children to feel compassion for those who depend on the kindness of others for survival. The author has real-world experience as a soup kitchen volunteer, so the book is based on a unique perspective on ...
Why are children's books important?
Children's books can make it easier for kids to understand and work through the life challenges they experience.
What is the theme of Harry Potter?
Bravery and Courage. Bravery and courage are often the focus of children's books. The Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling illustrates the universal appeal of this theme, beyond even the audience of children. Adults and children alike are inspired by the bravery and courage of Harry and his friends throughout their many adventures.
When I feel angry, what is the theme of the book?
It provides kid-friendly strategies for recognizing, understanding and effectively handling the emotion of anger.
What is the theme of a book?
Theme refers to the central meaning or message in a work of literature. Sometimes it is overtly stated within the book, but often it is conveyed more indirectly with the author expecting readers to take away lessons or insights related to the theme from reading the work. Many works have universal themes, which are ones that are relevant to everyone.
What is the common theme of literature?
Knowledge is a common universal theme in life and literature.
What Is a Universal Theme?
A universal theme is one that focuses on an element of the human condition and deals with concepts or concerns of interest to members of the human race, regardless of where they live, their background, personality type, or other unique factors.
What are the universal themes of technology?
Technology is one of the most common universal themes. It's featured in science fiction and other literary genres, as well as virtually every aspect of daily life. advances in medicine. access to information.
What is the theme of friendship?
Friendship and family are central to the human experience, so it's a common universal theme in literature and life. belonging and acceptance. bonds of friendship. brotherhood. companionship. fatherhood. family traditions. importance of communication. lifelong friendships.
What is the theme of change?
Change is a common universal theme in literature and life. change resistance. circle of life. coming of age. evolving traditions. fading beauty. fear of failure. growing to maturity. growing up.
Is theme all inclusive?
Theme and Motif in Literature. Even though this is a long list of universal themes and ideas, it's not all-inclusive. Many universal concepts pervade the human experience and find their way into literature. Of course, when you're focused on literature, theme isn't all that matters.
Want help identifying themes?
If you’re struggling with the concept of theme or how to identify and highlight them in your story, feel free to reach out in the comments below! I’m happy to help.
Published by Michael Bjork
Hi there! I'm a writer with an MFA in Fiction who posts creative writing advice on TikTok. View all posts by Michael Bjork
What is the central theme of a story?
In more complex stories, the central theme is typically a more open-ended exploration of some fundamental aspect of society or humanity.
What Is a Literary Theme?
A literary theme is the main idea or underlying meaning a writer explores in a novel, short story, or other literary work. The theme of a story can be conveyed using characters, setting, dialogue, plot, or a combination of all of these elements.
What is the theme of good versus evil?
The classic battle between light and dark, altruism and antagonism, the theme of good versus evil stretches beyond even Biblical times. A story about good triumphing over evil may pit two characters directly against each other, as in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, or a main character against society at large, as in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.
What are some examples of friendship?
Examples include: The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux and The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. Friendship. The power of friendship to carry people through hard times and change them—whether for better or worse—is an especially common theme in young adult literature.
What is the theme of love?
Love can be a force for good that inspires people to sacrifice themselves for others, or a toxic force that drives people to madness or violence. Different flavors of love as a literary theme include:
How is the theme of good versus evil explored?
In addition, the theme of good versus evil may be explored through the external actions and dialogue of the characters, or via their internal struggle to do the right thing when faced with temptation.
What are some examples of forbidden love?
Examples include: Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare and Atonement by Ian McEwan.
What is the theme of a book?
It's also common for a book to have many themes. A theme may show up in a pattern such as reoccurring examples of beauty in simplicity. A theme may come also through as the result of a buildup like the gradual realization that war is tragic and not noble.
How Can You Find a Theme in Books?
It is not something you find stated in plain words. The theme is a message that you take away from the book, and it is defined by the symbols or a motif that keeps appearing and reappearing throughout the work.
Why are universal themes so popular?
These universal themes are popular among authors and readers alike because they are experiences we can relate to. To give you some ideas on finding a book's theme, explore some of the most popular and discover examples of those themes in well-known writings.
What is the theme of the Scarlet Letter?
Judgment: Possibly one of the most common themes is judgment. In these books, a character is judged for being different or doing wrong, whether the infraction is real or just perceived as wrongdoing by others. Among classic novels, you can see this in " The Scarlet Letter ," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," and " To Kill a Mockingbird ." As these tales prove, judgment does not always equal justice.
What is the theme of Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment?
Suffering: There is physical suffering and internal suffering, and both are popular themes, often intertwined with others. A book such as Fyodor Dostoevsky's " Crime and Punishment " is filled with suffering as well as guilt.
What is the theme of the Three Musketeers?
You can also find it in more recent stories such as " The Three Musketeers" and " The Hobbit .". Good and evil : The coexistence of good and evil is another popular theme. It is often found alongside many of these other themes such as war, judgment, and even love.
What are some examples of immortality?
Another classic example is "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.". Circle of life: The notion that life begins with birth and ends with death is nothing new to authors—many incorporate this into the themes of their books. Some may explore immortality such as in " The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Theme Definition
- Themes in literature are often varied and hidden. Sometimes you can get through an entire book and not realize what the author meant. However, this is a good basic list that you can build from. Rememberthat some books have multiple themes. 1. Beautyof simplicity 2. Capitalism – effect on the individual 3. Change of power– necessity 4. Change versus...
20 Common Themes in Literature
Theme Examples
Themes in Literature: A Hierarchy of Ideas
Why Themes in Literature Matter
Should I Decide The Theme of A Story in Advance?
Develop Great Themes at Writers.com
Coming of Age
Courage
- You can, though of course it depends on the actual story you want to tell. Some writers certainly start with a theme. You might decide you want to write a story about themes like love, family, justice, gender roles, the environment, or the pursuit of revenge. From there, you can build everything else: plot points, characters, conflicts, etc. Examin...
Inevitability of Death
Friendship
Longing For Escape
Faith Versus Doubt
Fate Versus Free Will
Fear of Failure
Good Versus Evil
Negative Impact of Greed