Study Guild Understanding and Developing Story Themes

Core Definitions and Nature of Narrative Theme

  • Theme is defined as an underlying principle or concept, serving as the central topic at the core of a story.

  • Themes are primarily universal in nature, recurring across different stories and cultures throughout history.

  • Common universal motifs that serve as the basis for themes include:

    • Redemption

    • Freedom

    • Equality

    • Sacrifice

    • Betrayal

    • Loyalty

    • Greed

    • Justice

    • Oppression

    • Revenge

    • Love

  • Themes can also be deeply personal or tied to the specificities of the human condition, exploring internal or social issues such as:

    • Loneliness

    • Trust

    • Commitment

    • Family

  • A story's theme is more complex than a single word. While a concept like "freedom" serves as the foundation, the actual theme is an articulated idea or statement. Examples provided include:

    • "One should not sacrifice freedom for security."

    • "Freedom is worth dying for."

Scope and Hierarchy of Themes in Storytelling

  • Most stories do not rely on a single theme but rather contain multiple themes and motifs simultaneously.

  • The scale and duration of themes can vary significantly within a body of work:

    • Series Level: A single theme might stretch across an entire series of books or films.

    • Novel Level: Specific themes may be contained within a single volume.

    • Chapter Level: Themes can appear at the granular level of individual chapters.

  • Content structures often distribute themes among different narrative layers. A story’s main plot might explore one central theme while various subplots explore auxiliary or contrasting themes.

Understanding Theme versus Other Narrative Elements

  • Theme is noted as one of the most difficult story elements for writers to grasp and is frequently confused with plot.

  • Theme is distinct from plot in that it represents a worldview, philosophy, message, moral, ethical question, or lesson. However, the text notes that none of these labels individually or collectively can fully explain the nature of theme in fiction.

  • Theme can vary in its transparency to the audience:

    • Obvious Themes: Some works have "in your face" themes, such as the 2009 film Avatar, which focuses on the preservation of the environment and respect for native cultures.

    • Nuanced Themes: Some themes are more difficult to isolate, such as the 2005 film Batman Begins, which explores a man’s struggle with identity and duality.

Themes as Narrative Cohesion

  • Theme is described as the "glue" that holds a story together or the "binding principle" of the narrative.

  • It represents the deeper meaning and truth that underscores both the plot and the characters.

  • Strong stories utilize themes that are interconnected, either complementing or contrasting with one another to add depth.

Case Study: James Cameron’s Titanic (1997)

  • The film Titanic is presented as a work rich with themes centered on class, specifically the tension between wealth and poverty.

  • These themes are reinforced through character and setting:

    • Character: The protagonist is an aristocrat who falls in love with a poor artist.

    • Setting: The ship itself is physically segregated, with wealthy passengers residing on luxurious upper decks while the poor are relegated to cramped accommodations in the lower decks.

    • Central Conflict: The protagonist, Rose, struggles with the choice between financial security and liberation from a loathed, wealthy fianc.

Approaches to Identifying and Developing Theme

  • There are conflicting expert opinions on when a writer should address theme:

    • The Retrospective Approach: Some experts suggest authors shouldn’t focus on theme until they have produced a completed draft, allowing the theme to emerge naturally.

    • The Integrated Approach: Other experts believe theme is so integral it must be present and considered throughout the entire story development process.

  • Practice and Training:

    • Writers are encouraged to identify themes in movies and novels to become proficient at recognizing them.

    • Proficiency in identifying themes in outside works directly translates to a better ability to incorporate themes into one's own writing.

  • Mapping Thematic Patterns:

    • Writers can check their work by making a list of all motifs and themes once a draft is completed.

    • This list serves as a map of the story's thematic pattern.

  • Subplot Threading:

    • Once a primary theme is identified, writers can list related themes to thread into subplots. For example, if the primary theme is redemption, a secondary theme could be forgiveness.

Questions & Discussion

  • User Interaction (Christopher Martinez, November 13, 2016): A teenager who enjoys writing stories with lessons for readers asked for tips to excel in story writing.

  • Melissa Donovan's Response (December 5, 2016): Emphasized that the two most important practices for any writer are reading and writing. She recommended trying to read and write every day, even if only for twenty minutes.