Theme Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2024)

FAQs

Theme Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary? ›

1. : the main subject that is being discussed or described in a piece of writing, a movie, etc. The quest for power is the underlying theme of the film. A constant theme in his novels is religion. The playwright skillfully brings together various themes.

noun. an idea or topic expanded in a discourse, discussion, etc. (in literature, music, art, etc) a unifying idea, image, or motif, repeated or developed throughout a work.

'Theme' is the main idea around which a particular piece of writing or speech revolves. It is the central idea which is reiterated through the various characters and events in the text. The Oxford Learner's Dictionary defines the term 'theme' as “the subject or main idea in a talk, piece of writing or work of art”.

theme noun [C] (MAIN SUBJECT)

Add to word list Add to word list. B2. the main subject of a talk, book, movie, etc.: The theme of loss runs through most of his novels.

: a subject or topic of discourse or of artistic representation.

Here's a quick and simple definition: A theme is a universal idea, lesson, or message explored throughout a work of literature.

Colleen's Definition: “Theme is the message conveyed by a text that applies to multiple other texts.” In other words it's not just the important idea a text is about. For that idea to be a theme it has to be relevant to the discussion of multiple other texts.

The theme in a story is its underlying message, or 'big idea. ' In other words, what critical belief about life is the author trying to convey in the writing of a novel, play, short story or poem?

A story's theme is the message woven throughout it, often about important topics such as human nature, life, or society. It is deeper than the plot or summary and it can answer questions such as "What does it mean to be a family?" or "What are we afraid of?".

The theme is the idea the author. wishes to convey about that subject. It is expressed as a sentence or general statement about life. or human nature. A literary work can have more than one theme, and most themes are not.

What is one word theme? ›

The idea is that you choose one word that sums up your goals and dreams for the next 12 months. Having one word means you have an overarching focus for the year ahead. It's like setting an intention for what you want to be, do, have and create. The word can be a value or a feeling.

In creative writing, theme is the core underlying idea or message that the writer wants to communicate to the reader. For example, “the power of social status,” “the destructive nature of love,” or “the fallibility of the human condition” are all common themes.

To identify the theme of a story, you have to read through the story and understand the basics of the characterization, plot and other literary elements that are included in the story. Get to know the main subjects of the story. Get to know what the author's view on the mentioned subjects is.

1. : the main subject that is being discussed or described in a piece of writing, a movie, etc. The quest for power is the underlying theme of the film. A constant theme in his novels is religion.

It's the central idea or message that the author is trying to convey. An easy way to remember theme is to remember that: Theme= The message of a story. Themes are typically expressed in a sentence. Themes may center around ideas like courage, justice, revenge, and love.

The Land of Tema, Te'-ma or Tema Arabic: تيماء and Thaiman) is a place mentioned in the Bible where the descendants of Ishmael's son Tema dwelt. In Hebrew, the name means "south country".

A story's theme is the message woven throughout it, often about important topics such as human nature, life, or society. It is deeper than the plot or summary and it can answer questions such as "What does it mean to be a family?" or "What are we afraid of?".

Race, Identity, and Belonging. “Theme for English B” is a poem about the complexities of identity in a racist society. Its speaker—a black student at Columbia University in the 1950s—receives an apparently straightforward assignment: to write one page about himself.

Explanation: Theme in literature refers to the main idea, lesson, or message conveyed in a story.