One of the most important, if not the most important, elements in storytelling is theme. In many ways, the theme is the core of a story. It’s also the glue keeping all the other storytelling elements together.
Although everybody talks about the theme, it’s also one of the hardest things to fully understand. There are many different definitions of what a theme is and isn’t. Furthermore, many writers argue the importance of the theme. Some ignore the theme completely, while others write a theme-focused story.
Nevertheless, we’re going to talk about what a theme is, how it works, and how to use it to your advantage to write not only a good story, but a great one.
What is Theme in Literature?
We talk a lot about themes in literature, but what is it? The definition of theme is the overarching argument a story makes. In other words, the theme is the hidden meaning of a story.
The theme is never stated, but implied between the lines. You could say the theme is the truth of your story. It’s a core idea that you, the author, conveys through the story by reflecting on it indirectly.
You don’t write the theme. You write everything else in your story that will imply what the theme is. Therefore, the theme is subjective because readers interpret the central idea differently.
Theme can show through:
- Conflict
- Character choices
- Relationships
- Character arcs
- Resolution
- Setting
Here’s another thing: you can and will most likely have more than one theme.
However, you still have one overarching theme. The central idea that the story revolves around. Your secondary themes can complement and highlight your central idea if you use them right. We’ll come back to this, but first, you need to learn what theme isn’t.
The Difference Between Writing Theme and Topic
Here’s where most writers get confused. To understand what the theme is, you first need to know what the theme isn’t.
You might have heard someone describe the theme as love, hate, or family; while this isn’t wrong, it’s not accurate. Presenting the theme as a single word or short phrase oversimplifies it and removes its meaning.
As I said earlier, the theme is the overarching argument an author makes about an idea. Not only do you present an idea, but you also explore the idea through conflict, characters, and resolution. This way, the story develops a clear perspective on the idea without ever stating it.
Take a look at these two examples,
Topic: Desire.
Theme: Desire causes us to take immoral actions to get what we want.
Topic: Duties.
Theme: Duties are an artificial concept designed to hinder us from chasing our dreams.
Do you see the difference? The topic is a broad subject. The theme is making a claim about the topic. That’s the difference between theme and topic in literature.
Why Is Writing Theme Important?
Writing a story without theme is like writing a story without meaning. Even if you don’t intentionally add a theme in your story, your readers will find one. They’ll interpret, analyze, and take a message with them.
That’s because stories reflect human experiences. Readers will naturally compare what happens in your story to their lives. That’s why the theme is necessary. Whether you control it or not, your story will say something. Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean you can’t direct the readers.
What Does Theme Do in a Story?
Resonate with the audience: The theme allows the story to resonate with the readers on a personal level by reflecting common human experiences. Readers see a part of themselves in the story, and it puts their feelings into words.
Creates an emotional impact: The central idea makes the story more meaningful because it represents something larger and real. It makes readers feel something rather than just understand what’s happening.
Acts like a glue: Theme holds the different parts of your story together. Even if you have multiple characters or subplots, a shared theme connects them into one cohesive whole. Each storyline can explore a different angle on the same idea, making the story feel unified rather than scattered.
Provide structure: A central idea helps you decide what scenes to keep and remove. In addition, if a scene doesn’t support the central idea, you can remove it. This makes editing easier and the story stronger.
Add depth: Theme pushes your story beyond surface-level events. It allows you to explore complex ideas, question beliefs, and reflect on the world. This engages readers on an intellectual level, encouraging them to think, interpret, and even challenge what the story is saying.
Example of a Theme: We Need to Talk About Kevin
We Need to Talk About Kevin is a novel written by Lionel Shriver, later adapted into a film directed by Lynne Ramsay.
The film, We Need to Talk About Kevin, is about a mother who reflects on her relationship with her son after he commits a violent act. This is the plot of the story.
The story explores deeper ideas such as:
- What if a parent can’t love their child?
- Is it nature vs. nurture?
- How does guilt affect how we see ourselves?
Through Eva’s relationship with Kevin and the consequences that follow, the story examines society’s expectations of parenthood and the uncomfortable reality that love is not always automatic.
The overarching theme from this film could be: Parenthood doesn’t guarantee unconditional love.
How Writing Theme Works in a Story
Theme isn’t something you add to your story. As you probably understood, you don’t write the theme. But don’t you wonder how to integrate the theme into your story? We’ll talk about it right now.
The theme grows from the story itself. (Remember when I said the theme is meaning).
It comes in 3 forms:
- Character: The misbelief the character has at the beginning of the story and how it will change.
- Conflict: The challenges that force your character to question their beliefs.
- Resolution: What your character learns or fails to learn at the end of the story.
How to Write a Theme in 5 Steps
Many writers will try to write a theme first. There’s nothing wrong with this approach, but I have an easier one.
If you try to come up with a hidden meaning of your story in the beginning, you risk running into a wall. It’s difficult to write the hidden meaning of your story if you haven’t even written the story. Therefore, try this instead.
Step 1: Start with a Topic
You’re not going to choose a central idea right off the bat. Sit down and write down 3-5 topics you will explore closely. Remember, topics are broad and vague.
For example,
- Death
- Family
- Coming of age
- Good vs. evil
- Gender roles
Keep the topic you chose in the back of your mind as you write the story.
Step 2: Focus on the Protagonist and the Conflict
You’re not going to like this, but just outline your story as you normally would. The only differences are these two things I want you to focus on:
- The protagonist and the conflict. Find out what the protagonist wants, and what’s stopping them.
- Don’t worry about the theme yet; just write the story.
Step 3: Pay Attention to Patterns
Patterns often reveal the theme. As you write the book, look for:
- Recurring issues.
- Emotionally triggering topics.
- Misbeliefs.
Step 4: Ask “What Is This Story Really About?”
After writing a draft, ask yourself:
- What is my character learning?
- What message is coming through naturally?
Your answer is your theme.
Step 5: Strengthen the Theme
The first draft is never perfect, and it doesn’t have to be. Any writer who is good at their craft takes the time to go back and adjust their story so it’s enjoyable. Generally speaking, you’re going to do some serious editing to your story.
During the editing phase, I want you to:
- Sharpen character choices.
- Make conflicts more meaningful.
- Remove scenes that do not support the theme.
Every Story Has Something to Say
If you want to write a good story, start by writing a strong theme. I promise you, you will notice the difference. There’s a reason why some stories stay with us long after they end. We found something meaningful within them. Your story can be that too.
Understanding writing theme is what separates a basic story from a meaningful one.
A novel isn’t much different from a painting. Both tell us something about life, and both will be interpreted differently depending on the viewer. That’s why it’s art.
