This could be, for example, a general idea or theory, such as ‘all people are inherently selfish’ (although a pessimistic one). A reviewer might say an author examines themes of ‘crime and punishment’.
The events of the story in question might make us ask, ‘Why do criminals break the law?
The title of the Russian author Fyodor Dostoevksy’s tells us its primary themes.
The main character Rodion Raskolnikov is a poor university student who kills a stingy pawnbroker.
Tolkien further develops the ‘power corrupts’ theme in the fate of the One Ring.
The necessary destruction of the ring becomes a key plot point, yet accomplishing the task is not an easy feat.The recurring ideas or broad themes of books give us insights into ideas such as ‘love’, ‘honour’, ‘good vs evil’ and much more.Read 5 theme examples from books that show how to take your story’s ‘big ideas’ and use them to create additional characters and subplots:.She is not part of his plan and is, by comparison, undeniably kind and faultless.This development is crucial as Raskolnikov is driven to deeper madness by guilt.We also see the switch in allegiance of the wizard Saruman.We see, again and again, the corrupting aura of unbridled power.[You can brainstorm ideas for your themes using Now Novel’s step-by-step story prompts.Or share your ideas for thematic development in Now Novel groups.]Themes also tend to go together.His friend Sméagol (later Gollum, named after the guttural gulping sound he makes) covets the ring and murders him, wanting it for himself.Tolkien shows throughout the remainder of the fantasy cycle how the ring’s power brings out his characters’ baser, uglier instincts.