Ten Common Literary Themes
Created by Kathryn Reilly
Defining Theme
• Theme is a unifying idea that an author communicates in a work.
• Themes are abstract ideas that an author explores through concrete means such as characters and settings.
– Note: Many literary works may have multiple themes.
Common Literary Themes:Good vs. Evil
• Works with this literary theme struggle to define good and evil.
• Definitions of good and evil may change depending on the era and society.
• Characters may wrestle with their actions and the consequences of their actions.
• Literary works exploring this theme include:
– Beowulf– Frankenstein– The Crucible– Othello– Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde– The Lord of the Rings
Common Literary Themes:The Journey
• Works with this literary theme follow a character through many events and adventures.
• The journey may be a physical, emotional or spiritual journey.
• Throughout the journey the character learns new things about himself and the world, and becomes a wiser individual.
• Literary works exploring this theme include:
– The Odyssey– Their Eyes were Watching God– Gone with the Wind– Don Quixote– The Call of the Wild
Common Literary Themes:Coming of Age
• Works with this literary theme focus on a character leaving adolescence and entering adulthood.
• As the character loses his or her innocence, he or she gains a more realistic view of the world.
• Literary works exploring this theme include:
– Huckleberry Finn– To Kill a Mockingbird– Lord of the Flies– Catcher in the Rye
Common Literary Themes:The Role of Fate
• Works with this literary theme explore how many of life’s events are beyond humanity’s control.
• Characters must come to terms with life’s unpredictability and decide how to respond to it.
• Literary works exploring this theme include:
– Oedipus Rex– Siddharta– The Great Gatsby
Common Literary Themes:Sacrifice
• Works with this literary theme examine the necessity of sacrifice in order to obtain a goal.
• The sacrifice may be a tangible item, or an intangible idea or quality.
• Literary works exploring this theme include:
– A Tale of Two Cities– Death of a Salesman– “The Gift of the Magi”
Common Literary Themes:Overcoming Adversity
• Works with this literary theme present characters who must overcome great obstacles in their lives.
• Characters must choose how to respond to difficult situations and endure circumstances when they cannot be altered.
• Literary works exploring this theme include:
– Jane Eyre– Vanity Fair– The Scarlet Letter
Common Literary Themes:The Cost of Revenge
• Works with this literary theme explore both the tangible and intangible costs of revenge.
• Novels with this theme often warn against revenge, as many characters face unhappy endings.
• Literary works exploring this theme include:
– Moby Dick– The Count of Monte
Cristo– Wuthering Heights
Common Literary Themes:Importance of Friendship
• Works with this literary theme examine the importance of friendship.
• Friendship between characters is often tested, and authors explore what being a good friend entails.
• Literary works exploring this theme include:
– Watership Down– The Kite Runner– Of Mice and Men
Common Literary Themes:Heritage and Family
• Works with this literary theme explore the importance of one’s heritage and family in understanding oneself.
• Authors may explore different ideas of family and how family shapes the individual.
• Literary works exploring this theme include:
– Roots– Little Women– One Hundred Years of
Solitude– The Joy Luck Club
Common Literary Themes:Death’s Inevitability
• Works with this literary theme explore humanity’s fear of death.
• Characters often review their lives and meditate upon what awaits them after death.
• Novels with this theme may also examine society’s views on death.
• Literary works exploring this theme include:
– The Death of Ivan Illyich– Death Comes for the
Archbishop– A Christmas Carol– As I Lay Dying
Common Theme Review
• A theme is a unified idea an author explores in his or her work.
• Themes are abstract ideas.
• Literary works may have more than one theme.