The topic is crucial because it pervades the entire tale, from beginning to end. It can be anything the author thinks is acceptable, and there can be more than one topic. Let's start with a detailed study of this key feature before diving into various examples of theme in literature.
Literature is defined as "the product of human creativity expressed in words," or more specifically, "a work of fiction." This definition makes it clear that literature is a form of art, and as such it should not be confused with science or journalism. Art in general, and literature in particular, can deal with any subject matter they wish, from scientific theories to political events.
As mentioned earlier, every story has a topic. This could be as simple as something that happens (e.g., a character eats food), or it could be a complex idea (e.g., love is blind). The topic serves as the central point around which the story is organized. Without a clear topic, a story would be hard to understand and would lack coherence.
In addition to having a coherent structure, stories must also have a message or intention that helps us understand what the writer was trying to say with their work. Sometimes this message is obvious, while other times we need to look closer at the details of the writing to figure it out.
Most essential, the topic helps readers to identify with the characters and their struggles—and to get emotionally engaged in the ending. That's why we read books and write tales in the first place, isn't it? We want to see ourselves in other people's lives or at least find ways to relate to them.
The topic also matters because it dictates what kinds of stories can be told within the bounds of good taste. For example, a writer cannot create characters who are drug addicts or alcoholics because this would be considered taboo in most societies. Yet someone in need of help for an addiction may very well come across as humanizing when viewed through the lens of the story.
Finally, the topic allows writers to express themselves through their characters. No two people experience life the same way so stories that show how different individuals face similar challenges or overcome them by taking different paths forward are interesting to read about.
These are just some of the many reasons why topics matter to writers and readers alike. As you can see, there are many ways in which the topic influences what we write and why we read. It's helpful to know these things when thinking up story ideas or planning novels.
A theme's aim as a literary device is to examine the fundamental concept or underlying meaning that a writer explores in a piece of literature. Writers can use a variety of components to communicate a story's theme, including as location, storyline, characters, dialogue, and so on.
The theme of a work of art or literature can be described as its central idea or concern. This can be a subject about which the work is written, as in the case of a novel or poem, or it can be found instead within one of the elements that make up the work, such as setting, character, or style. The themes of poems are often described as being internal or external, depending on whether they are considered as part of the language itself (i.e., not referring to specific people or events) or if they address particular readers in particular circumstances.
In philosophy, the term "theme" refers to the underlying principle or idea that connects various aspects of a work or system. Themes may be explicit or implicit, stated or unspoken. A theme can also be called a leitmotif if it is explicitly mentioned by the author or composer. These types of themes usually have powerful emotional effects on their listeners or readers.
In academia, the study of themes in literature is referred to as literary analysis.
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