Exploring Key Themes in English Literature: From Shakespeare to Modern Day -

When someone asks, “What is this book about?” you have a few options. There is a “plot,” which refers to the literal events in the book, and a “character,” which refers to the people in the book and the challenges they face. Finally, themes in literature correspond to the work’s topic and message. But what exactly constitutes a theme in literature?

The theme of a story or poem signifies its deeper meaning. All works of literature deal with complex ideas, and the theme describes how a story or poem approaches these ideas.

There are many approaches to the theme of a story or poem, so let us look at some theme examples and a list of literary themes. Finally, we’ll look at why the theme is so important in literature, including your writing.

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What Is Theme?

Themes in English literature are the central idea of writing. Rather than stating the theme directly, the author will examine it using the literary tools at their disposal. The theme of a story or poem will be examined through elements such as characters, plot, settings, conflict, word choice, and literary devices.

A theme is more than simply an idea. It also represents the work’s unique perspective on that idea. In other words, a theme is both an idea and an opinion: it expresses the author’s specific perspectives on the work’s central concepts.

All works of literature contain central ideas and opinions, even if they are not immediately apparent to the reader. Now see the literary themes exploration in the following section.

20 Common Themes in Literature

Let us look at some key themes in literature. The ideas presented in this list of themes in the literature appear in novels, memoirs, poems, and stories from Shakespeare to the modern day.

Theme	Definition	Theme Example
Faith vs Doubt	Whether it’s faith in God, other people, or the protagonist himself, believing is difficult, but is it worthwhile?	The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Circle of Life	What comes around goes around. The Circle of Life explores life’s transience and impermanence, demonstrating that death is not death, but rather an evolution.	Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Coming of Age	Coming of Age, also known as a bildungsroman, explores the intense experiences of growing up and how they shape the protagonist’s future.	Jane Eyre by Charlotte BronteGreat Expectations by Charles Dickens
Fate vs Free Will	How much of our actions are decided by fate, and how much does free will truly control?	Romeo & Juliet by William ShakespeareThe Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Family	Many families are related by blood, but to overcome certain challenges, literary families must strengthen their bonds.	Anna Karenina by Leo TolstoyHomegoing by Yaa GyasiPachinko by Min Jin LeeBrother & Sister Enter the Forest by Richard Mirabella
Good vs Evil	One could argue that every story is about good versus evil, assuming there is a protagonist and antagonist. Still, good and evil are in constant conflict, so writers must document how this conflict evolves.	Doctor Faustus by Christopher MarloweThe Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Identity	At some point in their life, the main character wonders, “Who am I?”Additionally, “identity” refers to the characteristics that distinguish one person from another. How different are you and I?	Kafka on the Shore by Haruki MurakamiThe Idiot by Elif BatumanEncircling by Carl Frode Tiller
Hubris	Hubris means excessive self-confidence and the bad decisions that result from it. Many works of literature explore hubris as man’s defiance of God/the gods, or by man himself playing God.	Frankenstein by Mary ShelleyThe Iliad by HomerThe story of Adam & Eve in The Book of Genesis
Justice	What factors contribute to a society being just? What are the proper consequences for wrongdoers? Who is best equipped to administer justice? Are we all responsible for one another’s actions?	To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper LeeHamlet by William ShakespeareCrime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Man vs Nature	Man’s instinct is to dominate the land, but nature has its own methods of survival.	Lord of the Flies by William GoldingInto the Forest by Jean HeglandPower by Linda Hogan
Loneliness	Loneliness changes how people think, act, and perceive the world. The theme of loneliness explores how certain characters deal with their loneliness and whether man can survive his isolation from others.	Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami“A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” by Ernest Hemingway
Man vs Self	Sometimes the lead character is their own adversary. To overcome certain challenges, the protagonist must first resolve internal conflicts.	Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Power and Corruption	Absolute power corrupts absolutely. This theme connects with “Man vs. Society.” Furthermore, “power” may also refer to a person’s power in politics, personal wealth, physical strength, and so on.	In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia AlvarezAnimal Farm by George Orwell
Man vs Society	When the story’s opponent is society as a whole, the protagonist must convince the world that it is sick or die trying. Some protagonists also attempt to escape society entirely.	Nineteen Eighty-Four: A Novel by George OrwellThe Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret AtwoodFahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Pursuit of Love	Love keeps the world going, but it’s not always easy to find. Whether it’s romantic, familial, or platonic love, there’s a lot to say about its pursuit and the conflict that comes with it.	Wuthering Heights by Emily BronteWhy be Happy When You Could be Normal? By Jeanette WintersonEmma by Jane Austen
Revenge	When someone wrongs you or the people you care about, it’s tempting to seek revenge. But is vengeance worth it? Can revenge produce justice? So, how far is too far?	The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Sacrificial Love	When you truly admire someone, you are willing to give up everything for them. Sacrifice is a component of all love-related themes, but this is especially true in stories about maternal love.	Beloved by Toni MorrisonThe Leavers by Lisa Ko
The Environment	Man’s relationship with the environment is constantly changing, whether due to technological advancements, climate change, or our increasingly digital world. Themes in literature about the environment frequently overlap with “man vs nature.”	My Year of Meats by Ruth OzekiProdigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
War	Mankind has been at war with itself since the beginning of civilization. The causes of war, as well as its effects on society, are frequently discussed by writers particularly those who have been at war themselves.	For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway Red Badge of Courage by Stephen CraneThe Art of War by Sun Tzu
Survival	When survival is at risk, individuals learn the limits of their own power. Survival is a literary theme that applies to stories about being lost in the wilderness, as well as stories about the survival of ideas, groups, and humanity as a whole.	Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, author unknown and Crake by Margaret AtwoodHeart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

WHY THEMES IN LITERATURE MATTER

The theme of a story impacts everything else: the choices that characters make, the mood that words and images create, the morals that readers interpret, and so on. Understanding how writers use various themes in literature will help you write stronger, deeper prose and poetry.

Whether a writer chooses their themes consciously or unconsciously, a theme in literature serves as an organizing principle for the entire work. Student can also use university assignment help uk-based services for their literature work.