Literary ThemesLiterary ThemesLiterary ThemesLiterary Themes

Themes commonly found in Themes commonly found in literature literature

Themes commonly found in Themes commonly found in literature literature

What is a theme?What is a theme?

• Themes can be found everywhere: literature, stories, art, movies etc…

• The theme can be a moral.• Ask yourself, “What is the story teaching?” • Try to figure out the author’s view about

life by looking at how people behave.

• Themes can be found everywhere: literature, stories, art, movies etc…

• The theme can be a moral.• Ask yourself, “What is the story teaching?” • Try to figure out the author’s view about

life by looking at how people behave.

Theme = Universal TruthTheme = Universal Truth

The theme is usually something everyone goes through, a statement

or a lesson about life.

Common Literary Themes

(Themes repeated in many works)

1. The quest for immortality

2. The individual’s relationship and obligation to society.

Sometimes called “man vs. society”Sometimes called “man vs. society”

3. The individual’s inward journey to 3. The individual’s inward journey to understand understand himself or herself/identity.himself or herself/identity.

Sometimes called “man vs. self”

4. The individual’s relationship and obligation to the natural world.

“man vs. nature”

6. Being a hero or anti-hero

7. What it means to be a “survivor.”

8. Love conquers all.8. Love conquers all.

9. The importance of family.

10.10. FriendshipFriendship

More Themes

Bravery: Never give up. Greed: Family and friends are worth a ton. Loyalty: True friends will tell you when

you’re wrong, and they’ll never leave you. War: When man has suffered a loss, no one

wins. War is necessary sometimes. Honesty: The truth will set you free. Kindness: It is better to give than to

receive.