Examples of Literary Themes:
* The Nature of Good and Evil: This theme explores the fundamental question of what constitutes good and evil, and how those concepts are defined and understood. You might see this theme in stories that feature angels and demons, or in tales of heroic characters facing difficult moral choices.
* The Power of Love: This theme examines the transformative and enduring nature of love in all its forms. Examples include stories about romantic love, familial love, or even the love between friends.
* Loss and Grief: Stories that deal with loss and grief often explore how people cope with tragedy and the enduring impact of loss. Think about stories of characters dealing with the death of a loved one, the loss of a home, or the loss of a dream.
* The Struggle for Identity: Many stories focus on characters grappling with their own identity and finding their place in the world. This theme often involves coming-of-age stories, characters facing societal pressures, or individuals trying to break free from expectations.
* The Corrupting Influence of Power: This theme explores the potential for power to corrupt individuals and societies. Examples include stories about ambitious rulers, corrupt officials, or characters who succumb to the allure of power.
Important Notes about Themes:
* Themes are BIG ideas: They are not just plot points or simple morals. They are overarching concepts that run through the entire story.
* Themes are implied, not stated directly: Authors usually don't spell out the theme in the text. Instead, they use characters, events, and symbols to suggest the theme.
* Multiple themes can exist in a single story: Stories often explore more than one theme at a time.
Let me know if you'd like more examples or want to explore how to identify themes in a particular text.