What is theme?
I've been trying to find the answer to this but there doesn't seem to be any agreement.
Some sources say theme should be able to be summed up in one or two words (love, war, power, betrayal).
Others say that's not enough and you need to provide a statement ("War is an honourable human tradition", "Challenges provides opportunity for growth" etc.)
What's the answer?
>>8073196
A theme is simply an underlying idea, principle, or concept present throughout a work, and can be stated in as many words as necessary. In other words, it doesn't matter how many words are used to describe it--all that matters is how well it is described; so if it can be summed up in a couple words, perfect, fine, whatever, who cares; and if it needs a sentence long description, so be it.
An easily summarizable idea that is consistent throughout the work and can be taken as argued by the work you read.
Example : Love conquers all.
For a work to posses that theme, the events in the work should test said idea and confirm said idea.
A theme should not be contradicted by the events being told or the narrative being told.
>>8073343
Disagree. I think of it more as a thesis/hypothesis.
Does love conquer all?
Then the text either demonstrates a yes, a no, or a maybe. Contradiction is the mark of a thoughtful author.
>>8073196
A theme is a recurring notion from which particular developments are derived.
a theme is whatever you want it to be
:)
>>8073358
That's just a different theme.
