How To Create A Literary Theme

A story that has a literary theme is one that does more than just tell a tale. A novel that has a strong premise can teach us something about the world, people and perspectives.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the definition of a literary theme. We’ll discuss some examples and go over ways of coming up with our own. If you’re still struggling, worry not. I’ve included a literary theme list to help you even more so.

And if you’re still stuck—because this can be a tricky area—help is at hand. Drop me an email through my contact page or join my online writing group to connect with hundreds of other writers who would be more than happy to help. Click below to learn more.

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What Is A Literary Theme?

A theme takes a hard look at the meaning of things, examines deep-rooted ideas.[i] A story with a theme is a story with a point.[ii] It’s only when the writer considers this element “does he achieve not just an alternative reality, or loosely, an imitation of nature, but true, firm art—fiction as serious thought.”[iii]

Why Is A Literary Theme Important?

As eluded to above, the theme of a story is what it’s about, what it means.[iv] It should not be confused with the plot—the two are separate elements, yet linked.

For example, if we look at the classic romance story of Romeo and Juliet, the plot is about two individuals from rival families falling in love and dying as a result of a series of tragic events. But that’s not what the story is about. The themes, in simple terms, look at love, fate, and family, amongst others.

The theme provides the platform for the writer to leave their mark, to put forward their views on a particular topic or idea. It’s the job of the writer to “dig out the fundamental meaning of events by organising the imitation of reality [the story] around some primary question or theme suggested by the character’s concern.”[v]

As we’ll see below, a theme doesn’t have to be based on morality. It can be a more general idea, a topic that reappears throughout a story.[vi]

How Do You Develop A Theme?

American novelist John Gardner (who had the interesting middle name ‘Champlin’) argued that theme is not imposed on a story, but rather evoked from within it. Initially, it’s intuitive, but finally becomes an intellectual consideration on the part of the writer.[vii]

While other writers agree with this approach, it’s not the only one to take when considering the theme. It can be engineered into your story, considered beforehand to give it focus, to help you make out your argument.[viii]

But a theme should not consume your story. It’s just one component. Writer and blogger Chuck Wendig describes it as “a drop of poison: subtle, unseen.”[ix] Don’t make it too subtle though, otherwise, it may bypass your readers.

However, a contrasting approach to literary themes comes from one of my favourite writers and teachers, Lajos Egri. The Hungarian playwright believed that a story couldn’t be written without a premise or theme.

Egri argued that the creative writing theme provides the framework, the structure, the direction. If the writer begins to stray off track, the theme keeps them focused.

I have a detailed guide on creating a literary premise which you can read via the link below.

Further Reading – How To Create A Premise

Literary Theme Examples

When you seek out examples of literary themes you’ll invariably find lists of single-word suggestions. It’s important to remember that while it’s helpful to summarise themes in this way, they should not be limited to just that one word.

Instead, think of it as an essay question you’d find in school or university. You’re asked to explore or criticise a concept, and in essence, you’re doing the same with your theme.

“Theme can be a broad topical arena, or it can be a specific stance on anything human beings experience in life.”[x]

A theme is not a question, it’s the answer. The process of exploring the theme in your story is the journey your characters go on to come to realise this answer.  

Here are a few literary theme examples:

• Alienation – the effects of it, how to fight it.
• Betrayal – how the pain feels, attitude changes to friends and loved ones.
• Coming of Age – the loss of childhood innocence, the shift from childhood to adulthood, or a significant step in personal growth.
• Courage – courage to face adversity, to deal with conflict, the development of it, or the loss of it.
• Discovery – discovering new places, revealing information, inner meaning, inner strength, treasures.
• Death – how to escape it, facing it, dealing with the effects of it.
• Fear – conquering it, coping with it, the crippling effects of it.
• Freedom – losing it, longing for it, striving to achieve it, fighting for it.
• Good Versus Evil – the struggle between the two opposing forces, the triumph of one over the other.
• Justice – the fight for it, injustices, seeking the truth.
• Loss – of life, innocence, possessions, freedoms.
• Love conquers all – love provides the motivation to overcome an obstacle.
• Religion – the effect religion has on individuals, how beliefs shape their lives, extremists such as cults, sin, the afterlife.
• Power – gaining it, handling it, losing it, fighting for it.

How To Uncover A Theme In Writing

As we’ve seen above, there’s no right way to go about developing a literary theme. Some writers begin with it while others look to uncover it as the story develops. We’ve covered ways of creating a theme from the beginning, but we’ve not spent much time looking at how to reveal a theme that may already be there in our novel or story.

There are two simple questions you can ask yourself to help evoke the theme of your story. You can ask yourself these questions at any stage of the writing process—beginning, middle, or end, and it’s always helpful to keep them in mind to help you maintain focus.

1. What is the point I’m looking to prove?
2. What deep-rooted idea is being examined?

Keeping these two simple questions in mind when you’re writing scenes can really help to maintain that focus on what the story is actually about. So easily we can find ourselves distracted by worldbuilding or characterization that we simply lose sight of the point of the story. This writing tip can help.

The Secret Snapshot Approach

This writing technique is one of my favourites. It’s particularly useful for giving your story an emotional edge, an edge so sharp it cuts through to your theme and moves the reader. The theory is simple, the practice is a little trickier.

Master editor Sol Stein utilised this approach when teaching his writing students. He first asked them to think of a snapshot of a memory so private that if that snapshot was a tangible image they wouldn’t carry it in their wallet or purse in case anyone found it, family included.[xi]

“Some writers squirm through the process, shifting uncomfortably in their seats. That’s a good sign.”[xii]

You can also look to conjure the secret snapshots of other people, ones that you wouldn’t be allowed to see under any circumstance. The bravest writing someone can do is to explore the recesses in which the secret snapshots of their friends, enemies, and themselves are stored.[xiv]

Writing Exercise – Creating Creative Writing Themes

As an exercise, write down what you see in your most secret snapshot. Be brutally honest. To help, I’ll give my own example. I have a vivid recollection of the day my mum and dad told me they were splitting up. I was about thirteen. I remember crying about not being able to go to football training anymore, which my dad took me to each day after school. Looking back, what I was really upset about was the fact that my life was never going to be the same again, that the image of the life I knew was being shattered before my eyes.

When you’ve come up with your example, ask yourself whether you’d carry your snapshot in your purse or wallet. If yes, think of another. You want to reach deep into your emotional memories and find the most personal. “The best fiction reveals the hidden things we usually don’t want to talk about.”[xiii]

Once you’ve had some practice uncovering your own, it’s time to apply that process to your characters.

How To Reveal A Literary Theme In Writing

I referred to Chuck Wendig above and how he says that a theme should be subtle. It’s widely agreed that a theme shouldn’t be shoved down the reader’s throat, but one that is apparent should their mind turn to consider it. Yet how do you achieve this subtlety?

Let’s take the theme of nakedness as an example. You could consider adding details to suggest nakedness, for instance, the chipping paint of a wall, characters who show a lot of skin, or the psychological nakedness of a character.[xv]

There are instances where it’s fine to be direct with your theme, such as showing instead of telling. For example, how Forrest Gump tells us that ‘life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna’ get’, just like the film itself.[xvi]

Another method you can utilise to reveal a literary theme is to feature ‘counters.’ These are things that contrast with your theme, so for example, with nakedness, you could have a character who always wears two jumpers regardless of the weather.[xvii]

Writing Theme Generator

If worst comes to the worst and you’re still unsure about coming up with a literary theme, don’t worry. More help is at hand.

A writing theme generator is something that you can use to help get you out of a jam. There are a few decent tools about to help. A quick search on Google for “writing theme generator” will bring up a bunch of great results.

These generators work similarly to others, like my fantasy name generator. Simply click a button and before you know it you’ll have a bunch of results.

References

[i] Pg. 176, ‘The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers’, J. Gardner 1983

[ii] http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/09/26/25-things-writers-should-know-about-theme/

[iii] Pg. 178, ‘The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers’, J. Gardner 1983

[iv] https://thewritersacademy.co.uk/blog/common-literary-themes/

[v] Pg. 176, ‘The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers’, J. Gardner 1983

[vi] https://thewritersacademy.co.uk/blog/common-literary-themes/

[vii] Pg. 178, ‘The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers’, J. Gardner 1983

[viii] http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/09/26/25-things-writers-should-know-about-theme/

[ix] http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/09/26/25-things-writers-should-know-about-theme/

[x] http://www.writersdigest.com/tip-of-the-day/exploring-theme-a-key-component-to-successful-writing

[xi] Pg. 156, On Writing, S. Stein, 1995.

[xii] Pg. 157, On Writing, S. Stein, 1995.

[xiii] Pg. 157, On Writing, S. Stein, 1995.

[xiv] Pg. 158, On Writing, S. Stein, 1995.

[xv] Pg. 177, ‘The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers’, J. Gardner 1983

[xvi] http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/09/26/25-things-writers-should-know-about-theme/

[xvii] Pg. 177, ‘The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers’, J. Gardner 1983

If you’d like any more help and support with your literary theme, please contact me.

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richiebilling

Richie Billing writes fantasy fiction, historical fiction and stories of a darker nature. He's had over a dozen short stories published in various magazines and journals, with one adapted for BBC radio. In 2021 his debut novel, Pariah's Lament, an epic fantasy, was published by Of Metal and Magic. Richie also runs The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed, a podcast devoted to helping writers improve their craft.

Most nights you can find him up into the wee hours scribbling away or watching the NBA.

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