To determine a story's theme, you must read the story and understand the fundamentals of characterization, plot, and other literary elements included in the story. When trying to figure out the story's theme, ask yourself what the writer is trying to convey through the characters and events in the story.
To complete the review, it may be necessary to reread the text to find examples of the story's theme.
table of contents
How to identify the theme
The theme should be a simple statement of themain point of their stories. The theme is the overall message you want readers to take away from your story. This is the meaning of its story, which is expressed in what happens in the plot, as well as in the internal and external journeys of its characters.
The theme drives the plot, thus preventing the writer from deviating from the main idea and thus helping to maintain the focus of the story.
Video – How to find the theme of a story
What is the meaning of a theme in a story?
The theme gives the reader an idea of \u200b\u200bhow the characters in the story live, fighting for something good, the results of conflicts and how all these decisions are made in their lives.
By telling the reader what the story is about, the theme of the story expresses what ideas or questions are raised in the story. The theme is expressed through what the characters say, do, and think, as well as through the actions that take place in the narrative.
What is the theme of the story?
While the theme of the story captures its main ideas, the writer also expresses these ideas through various means. A story's theme is a universal idea that the reader can infer from the story and is described by literary symbols that continue to appear throughout the story.
The theme of a book is the main idea that runs through the story and binds the parts of the story together. A book's theme is not the same as its plot or moral, but the elements are interrelated and necessary to build a larger story.
3 steps to determine the theme
A book's theme often depends on the emotional development of the characters or the consequences the characters face as a result of their actions.
All literary works come up against some difficult ideas, and the question is how the story or the poem approaches these ideas. The ideas that appear in this list of literature topics appear in novels, memoirs, poetry, and short stories throughout history. All literature topics are broad and open, allowing writers to explore their own ideas about these complex topics.
What is a central theme?
In modern literary criticism, a theme is a central theme, theme, or message in a narrative. According to Best Writing Service, a theme is defined as the central theme that authors address in their literary work.
Alongside the plot, characters, staging and style, the theme is considered one of the components of the narrative. The theme of the story or poem will be explored through elements such as characters, plot, setting, conflicts, and even word choice and literary devices.
4 steps to identify the theme
A story often has several themes, especially if it's a novel rather than a short story. In many stories, themes develop over time, and it is only when you read the novel or story well that you fully understand the underlying theme or theme. Many stories have a theme and several sub-themes that help develop the theme.
While you will likely only have one main theme in your story, you may have many supporting sub-themes. These child themes can enhance your main theme and add depth to your story. You should at least define the "main theme" or main idea your story will focus on.
Once you know what your topic is or what you are trying to tell the reader, the rest of your story will start to take shape. Your theme will grow, deepen, and change as you learn more about its history.
Your reader will expect a familiar theme based on your field. While the corruption of power can function as a secondary theme, the main theme should be something the reader looks forward to given the genre of your stories.
What is the theme of a story examples
It's okay if your story has multiple themes, just be careful not to have too many. Most books explore a theme (or several) from different points of view, in various plot scenarios. Theme creates the difference between a great story that readers can understand and a mediocre one.
The most common modern interpretation of a theme is the central idea or point of the story, which can often be summed up in one word (eg love, death, betrayal). Your story's theme can be as broad as love or loneliness (thematic concept), or as specific as "greed is the greatest force in human culture" or "human behavior is a product of education and experience." because it expresses an opinion on the topic.)
Ideally, the theme of the story is something that can be expressed in a single sentence that describes the changes that have taken place throughout the story, especially how and why things have changed.
Examples of topics
A certain theme It can be easy to confuse the plot of your story with the theme of your story. Often the theme of the story is hinted at by an unspoken lesson or a plot detail.
Once you've determined your theme and background, try to find all the ways your characters and plot relate to that theme, both explicitly and implicitly.
Ultimately, just read the theme and try to figure out what it might mean, then skip to the main body and see how the author links the theme to another event in the story.
Key points about a story's theme
- A story doesn't start with athematic statementbut the theme is implicit in the setting and often in theMAJORITYdohero
- common themesThey are: good versus evil, redemption, love, courage, never giving up, revenge.minor problemsIt can also be hidden among themain topics.
- Otherexamples of themesare power, family, solitude and friendship
- theme in onethe literary work is a literary deviceintends to explore the commonhuman condition: the theme is the basis of agood story
- The theme can be calledMoral of the story. For example, the theme of love conquers all is apowerful moralfor any work of fiction.
- Another issue is that power corrupts even innocent children (thinklord of the flies) and is acommon ideain the literary genre of politics
- Hefirst eraserof any creative work must indicate thebig idea: That's itmain ideais closely related to the theme that develops throughout the story
- popular topicsshow the different wayshuman behavioris expressed, whatever thecentral theme. And thepoint of a storyand transmits adeeper meaning
- What is the theme of my story? must be one offirst questionsan author wonders: does it express a basic struggle inhuman culture
- The theme of the story has nothing to do withPoint of view,hestory genre, heseries of events(plot of a story): and theunderlying messageExpressed ashuman experience
- Ofcharles dickensin the directionHunger GamesaLeo Tolstoy, astrong themeis the secret of great writing. Heimportance of the themecannot be overrated
- The theme reflects the best and worst aspects of human nature inreal life. sometimes it's aGood thing,Sometimes no.
Sources:
- https://www.thoughtco.com/encontrar-un-tema-de-un-libro-1857646
- https://getfreewrite.com/blogs/writing-success/theme-of-a-story
- https://nybookeditors.com/2020/02/consejos-para-elegir-el-tema-perfecto-para-tu-historia/
- https://www.aresearchguide.com/story-theme-in-fiction.html
- https://storygrid.com/theme/
- https://examples.yourdictionary.com/reference/examples/examples-of-theme-in-literature.html
- https://www.cliffsnotes.com/cliffsnotes/subjects/writing/what-exactly-is-a-theme-of-a-story-and-how-can-i-recognize-it
- https://penandthepad.com/theme-narrative-1732.html
- https://www.well-stored.com/blog/how-to-develop-your-storys-themes
- https://www.nownovel.com/blog/theme-examples-from-literature/
- https://www.mindymcginnis.com/blog/develop-theme
- https://writers.com/common-themes-in-literature
- https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/theme/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theme_(narrativa)
- https://www.savannahgilbo.com/blog/theme
Other resources related to the theme of the story:
3 steps to help you find your story's theme – Writers Write
How to find the subject of a book or story – ThoughtCo
3 ways to discover your story's theme – Savannah Gilbo
Story Theme: How to Use It in Fiction: A Research Guide
