1. What it is all supposed to mean
Theme in Literature
What it is all supposed to mean

2. Theme: The central idea or underlying meaning of a literary work
Definition
Theme: The central idea or underlying meaning of a literary work

3. Definition
Theme is an observation about life or human nature that the writer shares with the audience.
It is similar to a moral in a fable
Note: If you have difficulty finding theme, you’re probably doing something right. Most themes, at least in adult or young adult literature, are not directly stated. Usually, a writer suggests, and the reader infers, them from combined elements in the story.

4. Basic Characteristics
A theme may be stated directly (explicit) or indirectly (implicit or implied)
Theme differs from the subject or topic of a literary work in that it involves a statement or opinion about the topic
Themes may be major or minor

5. Explicit vs Implicit Theme
An Explicit Theme is one that is stated openly in the work. It is stated in universal terms in the story itself.
Example: and the moral of the story is to never count your chickens before they hatch.
An Implicit Theme, on the other hand, is one that is not directly stated but which the author suggests, and the reader infers.

6. Major vs. Minor
A major theme is an idea the author returns to time and again; it becomes one of the most important ideas in the story.
Example: In “The Possibility of Evil”, the nature of evil is at the forefront of the story
In “To Build a Fire”, the man’s arrogance is revisited throughout
In “Harrison Bergeron” the dual character of equality remains consistent from the beginning of the story until the end and is present in some form in all the characters
A minor theme is an idea that may appear only periodically
Example: In “The Possibility of Evil”, appearance is suggested
In “To Build a Fire” the author suggests the wisdom of experience and of preparation.
In “Harrison Bergeron” a minor theme may be the role of government.

7. Theme and Subject
It is important to recognize the difference between the theme of a literary work and the subject of a literary work.
The subject is the topic on which an author has chosen to write
The theme, however, makes some statement about or expresses some opinion on that topic

8. Example
The subject of a story might be war while the theme of that same story might be the idea that war is useless.

9. How Do Authors Express Themes?
In 4 primary ways:
1) Themes are expressed and emphasized by the way the author makes the reader feel. By sharing feelings of the main character, we also share the ideas that go through his mind

10. How Do Authors Express Themes? (continued)
2) Themes are presented in thoughts and conversations. Authors put words in their character’s mouths only for good reasons. One of these is to develop a story’s themes. The things a person says are frequently on their mind. Look for thoughts that are repeated throughout the story.

11. How Do Authors Express Themes? (continued)
3) Themes are suggested through the characters. The main character usually illustrates the most important theme of the story. An excellent way to get at this theme is to ask yourself the question, what does the main character learn in the course of the story?

12. How Do Authors Express Themes? (continued)
4) The actions or events in the story are used to suggest theme. People naturally express ideas and feelings through their actions. One thing authors think about is what an action will "say". In other words, how will the action express an idea or theme?

13. Other Methods for Arriving at Theme
Identify the most prominent abstract noun at work:
Example: “The Possibility of Evil” = evil
“To Build a Fire” = arrogance
“Harrison Bergeron” = equality
Now ask yourself, “what about that abstract noun?”
Example: Evil wears many faces
“To Build a Fire” = Man’s arrogance in judging his place in the universe is misguided and results in disaster
“Harrison Bergeron” = Equality is an absurd concept and forced equality ironically results in tyranny.

14. How to Look for Theme Through the title of a work
Through the characters, particularly the main characters. Consider STEAL and the way the author characterizes the main players. Consider direct and indirect characterization as well as whether the character is revealed as a flat or round character or a static or dynamic character.
Setting – What do the elements of setting (place, time, weather, social conditions, mood, and tone offer to our understanding of the purpose for the story.
Plot – How do conflicts arise? How are conflicts resolved?
Stylistic Devises
Allusions
Motifs
Key phrases and statements