Theme Formula (defining ‘theme’)

The purpose of theme formula is to explain the ‘meaning’ of a given story without simply retelling the plot. Theme defining requires a subject and a predicate. Theme questions differ from plot questions. The questions what why are answered. What follows is the format:

When (define protagonist)

comes in conflict with (define antagonistic forces)

in a situation in which (define the circumstances)

the results may be (define setting, conditions, outcomes, changes in character,

consequences, etc.).

‘The results’ require the most developed response. Focus on drawing out as much information as you can and you will have defined themes of interest. This formula works well for most, but NOT ALL stories. If the formula does not yield a response with depth, then either the story is inappropriate, devoid of meaning, or you have not explored deeply enough. The results DO NOT act as a continuation of plot progression.

DO NOT feel required to compose your theme statement as a single sentence, even though the format is presented as such. Good theme statements should exercise control over syntax and diction and may use several sentences, provided they demonstrate structural variety.

Principles of a Theme Statement

  • A theme statement MUST have a subject and a predicate. A work’s theme cannot be just a subject (i.e. “mothers and daughters”). It must say something about the conflict or plot event (i.e. “The obligations of family often supercede the….”). It is more than one sentence. Theme statements are often wordy because they attempt to encapsulate complex ideas succinctly.
  • It should be stated as a generalization about life. Avoid using characters’ names or overemphasizing specific events from the short story/novel as a part of the theme statement. If relevant, however, limit the setting or scope (i.e. you would use the phrase “Chinese-American daughters” when writing aboutThe Joy Luck Club or “late 20th century media-saturated society” for White Noise).
  • Avoid overgeneralizations; use “often” instead of “always,” “may” instead of “will,” especially when defining resolutions.
  • The theme is the central or unifying concept. It must account for all the major details; it must not be contradicted in the text; it must never rely on the reader’s suppositions.
  • Themes may be stated in a variety of ways, and complex works may have several main themes. Only occasionally is there a direct quotation that functions as a complete theme statement; it is useful, however, to use terms or quotations as apart of your theme statement. The best statements sum up the majority of the work and address its most prominent conflicts and their resolutions.
  • Themes are NOT morals; avoid limiting the work to a cliché or trivializing the depth of the work.