The subject matter of a written work is what the text is about and is, typically, clearly indicated by the writer. The theme of a literary work reflects why it was written and what the author hopes to convey on a deeper level to the reader without direct statements. A reader may infer and a writer may imply a theme within a literary work. However, the subject matter of a literary work is not inferred by the reader or implied by the writer; it is overtly stated and understood.
One theme of this play, and Romeo and Juliet certainly features several themes, is the power of romantic love and the futility of others to stop it. The subject matter is almost exclusively related to the foundational elements of the story, such as what happens and to which characters.
The theme, in contrast , is the lingering meaning and thought left to the reader as a means of reaching a greater understanding of the play itself and the larger concept of love. As a literary device, the purpose of theme is the main idea or underlying meaning that is explored by a writer in a work of literature. However, more complex works of literature tend to have a central theme that is open to interpretation and reflects a basic aspect of society or trait of humanity.
Many longer works of literature, such as novels, convey several themes in order to explore the universality of human nature. In her short story , Charlotte Perkins Gilman holds forth a revolutionary theme for the time period. Her husband, brother, and others are committed to keeping her idle. She is even separated from her baby. Rather than allow the narrator any agency over her daily life, they disregard her words and requests for the fact that she is a woman and considered incompetent.
That's the beauty of artistic expression. A book's central theme can be anything the author chooses to focus on. Certainly, courage, death, friendship, revenge, and love are five themes that abound.
Let's take a closer look at these common themes, as well as some interesting examples from popular works of fiction. Courage is a wonderful theme to explore in writing. Life is full of difficult moments that must be surmounted, so why not draw inspiration from fictional and nonfictional characters in a piece of literature?
It just may be the story that inspires someone else to push through the next challenge in life. Here are a few examples of courage in major works of literature:. Death is something everyone will face. It's packed with so much uncertainty. And, for those left behind, it leaves lingering feelings of sadness and, sometimes, even remorse. This can be a great theme if your goal is to tug at the heartstrings of your readers.
Here are a few examples of death and dying in major works of literature:. Valued friendships can completely alter one's life. It can sustain you through moments when you need to pull out all of your courage. It can bolster us when we're feeling down. And it's also a wonderful prize when celebrating life's special moments. Here are a few examples of the beauty of friendship in major works of literature:.
Of course, love can move the world. When two characters fall in love, they'll go to any lengths to stay together. It makes for an interesting story to see how love survives, despite all the curveballs the main characters might face.
Here are a few examples of love in major works of literature:. Of course, the theme in a novel doesn't always have to be a positive thing. It can be a negative attribute that might inspire readers to take a better path in life. Here are a few examples of the detriments of revenge in major works of literature:. If the theme drives home the central message that the writer would like to convey, then how is it any different from the moral of the story? In truth, themes are far more general than the moral of the story.
The moral is a specific lesson that the author is trying to teach. Meanwhile, the theme can be more generalized; there can also be more than one theme in a story. Readers uncover theme s as they go along, because it consistently reappears throughout the work of fiction or nonfiction. As such, a moral can be a theme, but the theme doesn't have to be the moral of the story.
For example, in Romeo and Juliet, one could argue that the theme is the power of love. Love drew these two characters to one another, and nothing was going to stop them from coming together. However, the moral of the story is quite different. The case could be made that the moral of the story is not to let old family wounds carry on needlessly. Or, don't let your ego rule your life, especially when it comes at the expense of your children's happiness.
So, the moral repair old family wounds can be one of the themes of the story, but the theme undying love isn't necessarily the moral of the story. While the theme is the underlying message that the writer would like to convey, the mood is a literary element that evokes certain feelings through words and descriptions.
The mood can evoke an emotional response from your readers, helping them connect with your writing piece. In a way, the mood the author establishes creates an emotional setting. One of the ways mood can be established is through the point of view in which the story is being told. Synonyms for theme Synonyms content , matter , motif , motive , question , subject , topic Visit the Thesaurus for More.
Examples of theme in a Sentence If one theme unites his scholarship it is that the Old South cannot be viewed as a monolith.
A constant theme in his novels is religion. The playwright skillfully brings together various themes. The album focuses on themes of love and loss. Adventures are popular themes in children's books. The growing deficit was a dominant theme in the election.
The party had a Hawaiian luau theme. Recent Examples on the Web His persistence and dedication are an inspiration for many and reflect the central theme of the modern nomadic mindset. First Known Use of theme 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a. Learn More About theme. Time Traveler for theme The first known use of theme was in the 14th century See more words from the same century. Style: MLA. More Definitions for theme.
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