Learn How to Find the Theme of a Book or Short Story

Learn How to Find the Theme of a Book or Short Story If youve ever been assigned a book report, you may have been asked to address the  theme of the book. In order to do that, you really have to understand what a theme is. Many people, when asked to describe the theme of a book will describe the plot synopsis, but thats not the same as the theme.   Understanding Themes A books theme is the main idea that flows through the narrative and connects the components of the story together. A work of fiction may have one theme  or many, and they arent always easy to pinpoint right away. In many stories, the theme develops over time, and it isnt until youre well into reading the novel or short story that you fully understand the underlying theme or themes.   Themes can be broad or they can focus on a specific notion. For example, a romance novel may have the obvious, but very general, theme of love, but the storyline may also address issues of society or family. Many stories have a major theme and several minor themes that help develop the major theme.   The Differences Between Theme, Plot, and Moral A books theme is not the same as its plot or its moral lesson, but these elements are related and necessary in building the larger story. The plot of a novel is the action that takes place within the course of the narrative. The moral is the lesson that the reader is supposed to learn from the plots conclusion. Both reflect the larger theme and work to present what that theme is to the reader. A storys theme isnt typically stated outright. Often it is suggested by a thinly veiled lesson or  details contained within the plot. In the nursery tale The Three Little Pigs, the narrative revolves around three pigs and a wolfs pursuit of them. The wolf destroys their first two homes, shoddily built of straw and twigs. But the third home, painstakingly built of brick, protects the pigs and the wolf is defeated. The pigs (and the reader) learn that only hard work and preparation will lead to success. Thus, you can say that the theme of The Three Little Pigs is about making smart choices. If you find yourself struggling to identify the theme of a book youre reading, theres a simple trick you can use. When you finish reading, ask yourself to sum up the book in a single word. For example, you could say preparation best symbolizes The Three Little Pigs. Next, use that word as the foundation for a complete thought such as, Making smart choices requires planning and preparation, which could be interpreted as the moral of the story.   Symbolism and Theme As with any art form, the theme of a novel or short story may not necessarily be clear. Sometimes, writers will use a character or object as a  symbol or motif  that hints at a larger theme or themes. Consider the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, which recounts the story of an immigrant family living in New York City in the early 20th century. The tree growing up through the sidewalk in front of their apartment is more than just part of the neighborhood background. The tree is a feature of both the plot and the theme. It thrives in spite of its harsh surroundings, much like the main character Francine as she comes of age.   Even years later, when the tree has been chopped down, a small green shoot remains. The tree serves as a stand-in for Francines immigrant community and the themes of resilience in the face of adversity and the pursuit of the American dream. Examples of Themes in Literature There are several themes that are  reoccurring  in literature, many of which we can identify quickly. But some themes are a little harder to figure out. Consider these popular general themes in literature to see if any of them might be appearing in something youre reading right now. FamilyFriendshipLoveOvercoming hardshipsComing of ageDeathStruggling with inner demonsGood vs. Evil Your Book Report Once youve determined what the main theme of the story is, youre  almost ready to  write your book report. But before you do, you may need to consider what components of the story stood out the most to you. To accomplish this, you may need to reread the text to find examples of the theme of the book. Be concise; you dont need to repeat every detail of the plot or use multi-sentence quotes from a character in the novel, a few key examples can suffice. Unless youre writing an extensive analysis, a few short sentences should be all you need to provide evidence of a books theme. Pro Tip:  As you read, use sticky notes to flag significant passages that you think may point to the theme; consider all of them together once youve finished reading.   Key Terms Theme:  The main idea that connects all elements of the narrative.  Plot:  The action that takes place over  the course of the narrative.Moral:  A lesson that the reader is intended to learn from the plots conclusion.Symbolism:  The use of a particular object or image to represent a larger idea.   Article edited  by  Stacy Jagodowski