Have you ever felt as if the novel that you are reading is actually speaking to you? And you develop that emotional attachment to it? Well, that’s because of the themes!

What is the theme of a story? Themes are more than just some literary jargon. They give your story its purpose and direction. They are the main idea that connects everything, from the ‘why’ behind your plot, the ‘how’ behind your character’s actions, and the ‘what’ that gives the story significance to the reader. To put it simply, these are the messages that the writer (you) is attempting to get across.

So, what should the theme of a story be? It should be something that you want your readers to understand, feel, and respond to. You must be thinking, is it something more complicated than a single word like “Love” or “Betrayal” or maybe a chain of actions describing incidents in your book?

To answer this question and to have a better understanding, here are some famous book themes along with their central idea examples. Take a look at how wonderfully authors have used them to get their message across.

Key Takeaways

1. What is a Theme? The theme of the story is the central point or the underlying meaning on which the whole plot revolves.
2. Why Themes are Important: The themes of a story give your story more depth, emotional resonance, and a broader message, which helps connect your readers.
3. How Can Top Book Editing Services Help? These professionals go through your book and make amendments that are required to refine your book.
4. Themes Examples: The following are some of the best theme examples, from “love” to “betrayal” and from “revenge” to “self-discovery”.

25 Themes Examples That You Should Know About

1. Love and Sacrifice

You must be familiar with the theme of love and sacrifice. It’s the theme of a story that talks about how love pushes people to make significant personal sacrifices and how far they can go to experience, feel, or preserve their love. Moreover, the theme also shows how people are influenced by love to do something so extreme, something so extraordinary and unreasonable, be it tragic or heroic. For example, “The Fault in Our Stars.”

2. The Individual vs. the Community

This theme deals with the conflict between an individual and the society. It talks about a person or a group that opposes social norms and expectations or refuses to obey established powers. Characters are mostly seen to be facing the dilemma of joining others to oppose oppressive forces or stand-alone and fight the battle on their own. This theme is important for examining how people struggle with social standards and expectations that limit their personal freedom or sense of justice.

3. The Journey of the Hero

This theme of the story shows the life-changing experience of a hero. The main character leaves their comfort zone and enters a strange one where they face difficulties, develop as a person, and ultimately return home with a different identity. The theme emphasizes the concept of change through adversity, self-discovery, and eventual return with increased strength or knowledge. For example, “The Lord of the Rings.”

4. Coming of Age

Stories about coming of age show the development and maturing of a young protagonist, typically a teenager, as they deal with life’s challenges. The themes of these stories are personal growth and the difficulties associated with growing up and becoming an adult. Young readers who are going through relatable phases of development and self-discovery will find it particularly relatable.

5. Power and Corruption

The theme talks about how corruption and power can be bad, both personally and as a society. It shows the risks of power, demonstrating how it can result in moral decline and negative consequences. Moreover, this theme also criticizes governmental systems, social structures, and those who misuse their power for selfish ends.

6. Forgiveness and Redemption

The human emotions for punishment and forgiveness are discussed with this theme of the story, often through a character who has done a major crime or wrongdoing. It emphasizes the characters’ emotional journey when they ask for forgiveness, along with the complexities of sorrow and regrets that come along because of their past actions.

7. War and Peace

These themes show the terrible effects that violence has on both individuals and entire societies. It also talks about the psychological, emotional, and physical effects of war, emphasizing the cruelty of hostilities, the friendships formed during the war, and the difficulties in re-establishing a peaceful life after the war.

8. Mortality and Death

This theme of the story shows the perfect difference in how people deal with death and its inevitable nature distinctly. It talks about philosophical ideas on the meaning of life and the worth of living. The theme might also explore how people make decisions and interact with others when they are aware that their time is running out.

9. Nature and Environment

The issue of nature and the environment has drawn more attention, particularly as concerns about environmental destruction and climate change have grown. The link between humans and nature is examined in literature on this theme, which emphasizes the wonder and terror that the natural world can bring.

10. The Burden of Choice

A character’s journey is driven by this theme of choice and its effects. This theme is perfectly shown by Fyodor Dostoevsky in his book, “Crime and Punishment.” Where Raskolnikov, the main character of the book, decides to kill a pawnbroker, which causes him to experience intense moral disorder and guilt.

11. Belonging and Identity

The process of self-discovery and the chase of one’s place in society are shown in the theme of identity and belonging. The difficulty people have balancing their identities with social norms is the main subject here. It also addresses isolation and the emotional search for a group or community where one is accepted and understood.

12. Good vs. Evil

One of the oldest and most basic themes of the story is good versus evil, which involves an obvious difference between heroes and villains. With the forces of good attempting to defeat the forces of evil, this conflict represents general moral, ethical, or social problems. Moreover, this theme allows for the analysis of moral decisions and the consequences of those decisions. For example, “The Chronicles of Narnia.”

13. Freedom and Imprisonment

The theme of freedom and confinement talks about the conflict between the need for individual freedom and the limitations placed on one’s surroundings or society. Characters may be physically or psychologically confined while battling against oppressive structures, social norms, or even their own anxieties and uncertainties. The theme emphasizes the social, psychological, and emotional struggles people have when trying to gain freedom and independence.

14. Innocence and Experience

The wisdom acquired through experience is shown in the theme of innocence vs experience. Characters may have to deal with the complexities and letdowns of the world that strip them of their innocence, forcing them to confront harsh truths. This theme considers how people lose their innocence as they age and face life’s obstacles.

15. Overcoming Misfortune with Hope

Stories of resiliency and hope are often based on hardship, with protagonists discovering courage in their most difficult situations. Khaled Hosseini’s novel “The Kite Runner” follows Amir, who faces hardship in war-torn Afghanistan and seeks an apology for betraying his childhood friend.

16. Illusion versus Reality

This theme of the story explores the nature of truth and deceit as reality versus illusion. As characters mostly fail to tell the difference between reality and illusion, the theme plays with the idea of deceitful stories or characters that purposefully construct illusions to avoid painful truths.

17. The Search for Self-Identity

One theme that centers on human development and the chase of self-understanding is the search for self-identity. Characters go through periods of self-discovery as a result of feeling unsatisfied or confused about their place in the world.

18. The Injustice of Social Class

This theme of the story examines the inequalities that arise from the differences between various social groups. The unfair treatment of people from lower socioeconomic classes, including discrimination, exploitation, and financial hardship, is shown in this theme.

19. The Burdens of the Past

A character’s life is defined by the impact of their past, be it from personal mistakes, cultural expectations, or family history. Harper Lee shows how the characters in Maycomb, Alabama, are impacted by the history of racism and injustice by using this theme in his book, “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

20. The Power of Memory

The memory theme shows how a character’s past experiences influence their behavior and perceptions in the present. It shows how a person’s identity, development, and mental health are affected by remembering or forgetting.

21. Revenge and Betrayal

In literature, betrayal and retaliation go hand in hand. One character’s betrayal sets another on a path for revenge, which occasionally results in much more harm than the initial betrayal.

22. Humanity and Technology

The topic of technology and humanity looks at how new developments in technology affect social interactions, human behavior, and relationships. It raises concerns about whether technology is good or bad for humans.

23. Ambiguity in Morals

Moral ambiguity is defined as conditions in which the line separating right from wrong is blurred or foggy. Characters must tackle moral challenges where choices are not purely good or evil.

Let’s again take the example of Raskolnikov in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment,” who justifies murder for the greater good but later struggles with a profound moral dilemma. The book explores how moral ambiguity can afflict a person’s conscience, compelling them to face their deeds and the results of their decisions.

24. Bravery and Cowardice

The tension between fear and bravery in the face of threat is the main theme of this story. For example, Bilbo Baggins in “The Hobbit” transforms from a shy hobbit to a valiant hero who faces difficulties head-on. His journey highlights the journey from cowardice to courage.

25. The Struggle for Power

This theme examines how characters’ desires for dominance, authority, or control affect other people. For example, William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” shows Macbeth’s brutal desire for power and how it corrupts him, ultimately resulting in his death.

How Your Themes Can Be Improved By Top Professional Editing Services

Now that you know how significant themes are, you must be asking yourself, “How can I make sure my themes come across effectively?” Top writing editing services can help with that. You can refine your theme with the help of a professional editor to make sure it fits your story perfectly.

These professionals offer advice on how to improve the development of your theme, help you to find areas where your theme could be strengthened or where your thoughts might need more exploration, or when sometimes you need a second opinion.

Moreover, if you have a limited budget, you can even improve the main concepts of your novel without going over budget with the help of affordable professional editing services.

Remember, a competent editor does more than simply proofread your work for grammar mistakes; it also assists you in highlighting your themes and keeping your narrative on track. Top-notch professional editing services are essential to turning your work into something remarkable.

Conclusion

You may be motivated to start your book with a greater understanding of the power of topics now that you are familiar with 25 theme examples. But keep in mind that even the best themes require improvement. Professional editing can significantly increase the impact of a story.

Refine your work with the help of top writing editing services, who make sure that your story successfully emphasizes your themes, that your character’s motives are consistent with your main ideas, and that your topic is unique and captivating. Additionally, you can hire top professional editing services to finalize that last chapter, giving a perfect ending to your book.

FAQs

What Are Literary Themes In Books?

The main ideas or concepts that authors explore through characters, stories, and settings are known as literary themes in books.

Can you provide some examples of central Ideas In the literature?

Yes, some common examples of central ideas include the search for identity (The Catcher in the Rye), the fight for power (Macbeth), and love and sacrifice (Les Misérables).

What Effects Do Literary Themes Have On The Plot Of A Book?

The plot and character development are shaped by literary themes, which also offer a deeper meaning and a better understanding of the book’s overall message.

Can A Book Have More Than One Literary Theme?

Yes, a lot of books cover a variety of literary topics, resulting in a sophisticated story that improves the reader’s experience.

Where Can I Find The Top Book Editing Services For My Manuscript?

You can get one of the best book editing and writing services at BookQuill. They are the best if you need high-quality writing and editing.

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About Author

Hi My name is Micheal Adams, When I am not watching horror movies and helping my kids with homework or reading my favorite fantasy/supernatural novels – I’m writing to guide aspiring authors. I focus on exploring and simplifying both the technical aspects and the often-overlooked details of book writing and publishing so I can empower new writers to climb the Amazon bestseller list and connect with more readers.