1. Theme of a work of literature

2. Theme: What is it? The theme of a work of literature is the author’s argument about the human condition, about the way life is. What is it NOT? Theme is not one word or even just a phrase (i.e., “greed,” “isolation,” “dreams vs. reality,” etc.). Words or phrases do not convey an argument, and theme is an argument about life. Theme is normally NOT A MORAL LESSON. They are arguments about the way the world is; they normally are not telling us how to live. Therefore, your statement of theme should normally not include “should,” “ought to,” “must,” etc.

3. How to write a Statement of Theme First, generate a list of what the piece of literature is about: First, generate a list of what the piece of literature is about: It’s about It’s about Time Time American Dream American Dream East vs. West East vs. West Dreams vs. Reality Dreams vs. Reality Isolation Isolation Etc. Etc.

4. How to write a Statement of Theme Then ask yourself, what is the author saying about these things (from your list of ideas)? Then ask yourself, what is the author saying about these things (from your list of ideas)? Your statement of theme SHOULD NOT include any character names, or names of settings: if it does, it is only about the work, and not about life and the human condition, and it is therefore not a theme. Your statement of theme SHOULD NOT include any character names, or names of settings: if it does, it is only about the work, and not about life and the human condition, and it is therefore not a theme. A writer doesn’t use symbols, characters, or settings to refer back to those same symbols, characters, or settings—that would be pointless. Instead, they use those elements of the text as evidence for an argument about the world outside of the text, and this is what makes literature universal, and thus great. A writer doesn’t use symbols, characters, or settings to refer back to those same symbols, characters, or settings—that would be pointless. Instead, they use those elements of the text as evidence for an argument about the world outside of the text, and this is what makes literature universal, and thus great.