Theme of a work Theme of a work of literatureof literature

Theme: What is it?Theme: What is it?

The theme of a work of literature is The theme of a work of literature is the author’s the author’s argument about the human condition, about the argument about the human condition, about the way life is.way life is.

What is it NOT?What is it NOT?Theme is not one word or even just a phrase (i.e., Theme is not one word or even just a phrase (i.e.,

“greed,” “isolation,” “dreams vs. reality,” etc.). “greed,” “isolation,” “dreams vs. reality,” etc.). Words or phrases do not convey an argument, and Words or phrases do not convey an argument, and theme is an argument about life.theme is an argument about life.

Theme is normally NOT A MORAL LESSON.Theme is normally NOT A MORAL LESSON.They are arguments about They are arguments about the way the world is; the way the world is; they normally are not telling us how to live. they normally are not telling us how to live. Therefore, your statement of theme should normally Therefore, your statement of theme should normally not include “should,” “ought to,” “must,” etc.not include “should,” “ought to,” “must,” etc.

How to write a Statement of How to write a Statement of ThemeTheme

First, generate a list of what the First, generate a list of what the piece of literature is about:piece of literature is about: It’s about It’s about

TimeTime American DreamAmerican Dream East vs. WestEast vs. West Dreams vs. RealityDreams vs. Reality IsolationIsolation Etc.Etc.

How to write a Statement of How to write a Statement of ThemeTheme

Then ask yourself, what is the author saying Then ask yourself, what is the author saying about these things (from your list of ideas)?about these things (from your list of ideas)?

Your statement of theme SHOULD NOT Your statement of theme SHOULD NOT include any character names, or names of include any character names, or names of settings: if it does, it is only about the work, settings: if it does, it is only about the work, and not about and not about life and the human conditionlife and the human condition, , and it is therefore not a theme. and it is therefore not a theme.

A writer doesn’t use symbols, characters, or A writer doesn’t use symbols, characters, or settings to refer back to those same symbols, settings to refer back to those same symbols, characters, or settings—that would be characters, or settings—that would be pointless. Instead, they use those elements of pointless. Instead, they use those elements of the text as evidence for an argument about the the text as evidence for an argument about the world outside of the text, and this is what world outside of the text, and this is what makes literature universal, and thus great.makes literature universal, and thus great.