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What is a literary theme: Editor's Notes #42 July 17, 2024

Hello, Literature must always rest on a principle, and temporal considerations are no principle at all. For, to the poet, all times and places are one; the stuff he deals with is eternal and eternally the same: no theme is inept, no past or present preferable. —Oscar Wilde In this issue: 1. What is a literary theme anyway? 2. Tickled my funny bone 3. Interesting Web site 4. Writing prompt 1.What is a literary theme anyway? Many, maybe even most, readers have a hard time defining the word theme. If that is so, why should writers know what it is? First, the definition. In literature, a theme is the implied general principle that a book is about. Often there are multiple themes in one book. Although a theme is not the same thing as the topic, which is the main subject and unique to a specific piece; nor the same thing as the plot, which is the theme in action; nor the same thing as the take-away point, which illustrates the theme, it relates to these and other aspects of a piece of writing. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte illustrates these aspects. One theme is gender roles. A related topic is the growth of an individual woman. The basic plot is that an orphan becomes a governess in a home rife with mystery and whose master has dark secrets. In spite of all, the orphan marries the master for love. The take-away point is that an independently minded woman may marry for love. If you are still confused about what a theme is, try an Internet search for "theme vs". You will find more information if you do not specify what you want to contrast it to. As to why a writer should know what a theme is, it comes down to two things: control of your craft and how you present yourself as a professional writer. The more you know about how various aspects of writing interact, the more skillfully you will write, and if you write or speak to publishers about your work, being able to discuss themes intelligently makes you stand out as someone who understands writing. =========== 2.Tickled my funny bone Why don’t oysters share their pearls? Because they’re shellfish. =========== 3. Interesting Web site I doubt that there is a definitive list of literary themes, but this page offers 200. https://prowritingaid.com/themes-in-literature =========== 4. Writing prompt Write a piece using these six words: empty, leg, linger, soft, wasp, and zipper. =========== Join Writer's Helper Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WritersHelperEditor Follow me on Twitter @AudreytheEditor Link on LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/in/audreyowen (Email me first so I know how you know me.) =========== If you know a writer who would appreciate receiving Editor's Notes, forward this issue. If someone has passed this on to you, you can get your own free subscription by signing up at https://www.writershelper.com/newsletter.html

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