Literature

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Let's zoom in on ....

Themes

Theme

1. - Theme is ALWAYS expressed in a sentence, idea or thought. If you write down a single word, it's NOT a theme.
   
2. - A story can have more than one theme. It can also have NO theme.
   
3. - Generally themes are universal - meaning they can apply to everyone.
4. - If you come up with a theme, you have to provide context and explanation using information from the story

Common Themes in Literature

1. The best literary themes explore human nature on a universal level. 
2. Multiple books  and films may share the same central idea(s). 
3. The following popular theme examples reveals the human condition, offers readers food for thought, stay with you long after the story is finished.

Six common themes in literature are:

1. Good vs. evil

2. Love

3. Redemption

4. Courage and perseverance

5. Coming of age

6. Revenge

Give Examples

• Work in groups of 2-4 students

• Come up with 1 example (book or film) for each theme

(1. Good vs. evil, 2. Love, 3. Redemption, 4. Courage and perseverance, 

5. Coming of age, 6. Revenge)

• Explain why you chose this book or film
• Be prepared to share answers with the class

Literary Theme: Good vs. Evil

1. Classic battle between light and dark, good and evil, altruism and antagonism
2.  Generally pits two characters directly against each other 
3. Good versus evil themes can may be explored through: 

• external actions and dialogue (conversations) of the characters
• internal struggle to do the right thing when faced with temptation

e.g. Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Hunger Games, Avengers End Game

Literary Theme: Love part one

1. Love is one of the most universal themes in literature
2. Love can be a force for good that inspires people to sacrifice themselves for others
3. Or a toxic force - drives people to madness or violence. 

Different flavors of love as a literary theme include:

1. Forbidden love: Yearning and disapproval. Think star-crossed lovers hurtling towards a tragic fate. E.g. Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, West Side Story, Twilight, The Great Gatsby

2. Family love: Love between parents and children or siblings. Think family loyalty. E.g. Little Women, The Pursuit of Happiness, The Lion King

Literary Theme: Love part two

3. Unrequited love: The pain of loving someone who does not return your affection. E.g. Me Before You,  The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Notting Hill, The Great Gatsby

4. Friendship: The power of friendship to carry people through hard times and change them—whether for better or worse. Common in young adult literature. E.g. Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Secret Garden

Literary Theme: Redemption

1. Failures or tragedies set the stage for a sad story. Generally doesn't end this way
2. Redemption is a central theme
3. Characters see the errors of their ways and strive to right the wrongs 
4. Often involve a reformed character sacrificing his or her freedom or life

E.g. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, The Pursuit of Happiness, Shawshank Redemption, The Kite Runner,

Literary Theme : Courage and Perseverance

1. The triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity 
2. Characters in stories about courage 
3. Endure difficult circumstances or impossible odds
4. Persevering through sheer determination, grit, and gall

E.g.  The Martian, The Book Thief, 127 Hours, The Revenant

Literary Theme : Coming of Age

1. Also known as a bildungsroman
2. Classic coming-of-age story follows one or more characters during their journey of growing up into adulthood
3. Characters experience everything from a loss of innocence, to an awakening or self-awareness before finally reaching maturity

E.g. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Lady Bird, The Perks of being a Wallflower, Wonder

Literary Theme: Revenge

1. The theme of revenge sets up a conflict between one character and his or her enemies as he or she journeys to avenge wrongs done to them
2. Depicts the trials a character must endure in order to achieve their vengeance
3. Or explore the human cost and moral dilemmas around pursuing vengeance in the first place
   

E.g. Carrie by Stephen King, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Kill Bill, John Wick, Gone Girl

What is the theme?

A princess fell in love with a working boy from the stables. The king refused to let the princess marry such a poor, unroyal person. The stable boy left the kingdom, promising to return one day for his princess.

Three years later, the princess had refused to marry five different rich and powerful princes. The king was furious.

Then in the middle of the night, the stable boy appeared at the princess’s window. He told her that he had settled in another kingdom, living in a small house by a wood and working for a kind farmer. He wasn’t rich but he wanted to marry her. The princess jumped out the window, onto the boy’s horse and they rode away to live happily ever after.

Other Themes

You are expected to think of examples for each theme discussed!

Any why you think this!

Freedom and confinement

1. Highlights the desire for freedom and the reality of confinement.
   
2. Confinement might be physical, such as imprisonment or slavery
3. Or it could be psychological, stemming from societal expectations or personal fears.

E.g. escape from hometown or small town confines, imprisoned POWs, mental hospital

Innocence and experience

1. Demonstrates a transition from a naive idealism to wisdom earned through experience
2. Characters often face harsh realities or undergo experiences that shatter their innocence

E.g.  transition from the naivety of childhood to the disillusionment of adulthood, 

Reality vs Illusion

1. Investigates the nature of reality and the power of illusion.
   
2. Characters might grapple with distinguishing between what is real and what is not. 
3. Reader or viewer unsure what’s true and what not 

E.g. characters intentionally choose illusion over reality to escape unpleasant circumstances.

The search for self-identity

1. Revolves around the process of understanding oneself
2. Characters undergo significant personal growth or change.
   
3. This theme often begins with characters experiencing a sense of unease or dissatisfaction with their present circumstances or sense of self.
   

E.g. feelings of discomfort is catalyst for the characters to embark on a quest for self-identity, inner journey mirrors outward physical journey or experience.

Isolation & Loneliness

1. Characters experiencing physical or emotional separation from others
2. This isolation can be self-wrought, caused by an individual’s actions or decisions
3. Externally imposed, such as societal exclusion, geographical displacement, or unforeseen circumstances.
   
4. This theme explores the various forms and impacts of isolation - deep dive into the psychological and emotional impacts

E.g. physical isolation, sense of loneliness 

Survival

1. Characters face extreme conditions or challenges that test their will to survive.
   
2. Generally a conflict here, e.g. man vs nature (surviving the elements), man vs man (surviving against a foe), or even man vs technology (fighting against rogue technology, e.g. Terminator)

E.g. tenacity and resilience of the human spirit against the odds.

The struggle for women's rights

1. Fight for gender equality
2. Focuses on the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of women in a patriarchal society.
   
3. Could fit into the category “protagonist vs society”, or “woman vs society!” 
4. Attempts to reflect real social, cultural, and political circumstances 
5. Social commentary about social inequalities or underlying patriarchy

E.g. woman attempts to assert her place in society, struggles with discrimination, female solidarity

Think of your own theme for this story?

There was a gingerbread man who escaped from the baker who was going to eat him.

He came across a river. There was a little sheep smiling sweetly who had a paddle boat that said, if he helped paddle, they could both cross the river together. Or there was a sleek fox licking his lips that had a speed boat who said the gingerbread man could jump on his boat and didn’t have to do anything, just travel in style.

The gingerbread man jumped onto the fox’s boat and they set off. Half way across the river the fox stopped the boat and chomped the gingerbread man down in one bite.

Find an example for each theme

For each example explain why

Group work

The theme shown in this story is … because … (you need to say why you think that theme is being shown)

Theme list:

• The power of love

• Growing up

• Learning who to trust

• Mis-using a great power or gift

• Standing up for what is right

Ask yourself questions:

• What is the author's take on the theme?
• Is it convincing?
• How does it compare to another books/ films with a similar theme?
• Does the writing style enhance the theme?
• Etc.

In pairs: decide on a book, film or series that you both have read/seen
and identify one of the main themes. Decribe the theme. Describe
the author's approach. What was his/her intention, do you think?
What is your opinion? Be precise!