Theme

Theme
Definition of Theme
Theme is defined as a main idea or an underlying meaning of a literary work, which may be stated directly or indirectly.
Major and Minor Themes
Major and minor themes are two types of themes that appear in literary works. A major theme is an idea that a writer repeats in his literary work, making it the most significant idea in the work. A minor theme, on the other hand, refers to an idea that appears in a work briefly, giving way to another minor theme. Examples of theme in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” are matrimony, love, friendship, and affection. The whole narrative revolves around the major theme of matrimony. Its minor themes are love, friendship, affectation etc.

Short Examples of Theme
1. When the astronaut landed on the moon, he felt loneliness. Thinking there was no one else, he became a little forlorned, though the view of Earth was stunningly beautiful.
(Theme of lonesomeness)
2. The space travelers were travelling to the moon, when their spaceship suddenly ran out of fuel. They were all frightened to learn that they wouldn’t be able to return to Earth, and could only land on the moon.
(Theme of fear)
3. The bus was travelling at a great speed when it was stopped by a gang of robbers. The passengers were ordered to get out, leaving their precious belongings in the bus.
(Theme of fear)
4. Their marriage ceremony was taking place in a grand hotel. All the eminent people of the city were invited, the reason that the celebration was excellent.
(Theme of happiness)
5. As soon as the clock struck 12 at noon, the jubilations started. It travelled from East to West on the first day of the year.
(Theme of felicitation)
6. The religious leader was leading a huge congregation of followers, praying with utmost humility.
(Theme of religiosity)
7. All the family members were dressed in black, with somber faces. They were participating in the funeral ceremony of their deceased relative.
(Theme of gloom)
8. The cricket match was reaching a highpoint, the fans of both teams screaming their support. It was an excellent game.
(Theme of cheerfulness)
9. The teacher said that she hoped all of her students would pass with good grades.
(Theme of optimism)
10. The father of the slowwitted student said he had no false hopes about his son’s future.
(Theme of pessimism)

Examples of Theme in Literature

          Example #1: Love and Friendship Theme
Love and friendship are frequently occurring themes in literature. They generate emotional twists and turns in a narrative, and can lead to a variety of endings: happy, sad, or bittersweet. The following are famous literary works with love and friendship themes:
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

          Example #2: War Theme
The theme of war has been explored in literature since ancient times. literary woks utilizing this theme may either glorify or criticize the idea of war. Most recent literary works portray war as a curse for humanity, due to the suffering it inflicts. Some famous examples include:
Iliad and Odyssey by Homer
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
Arms and the Man by Bernard Shaw
A Band of Brothers: Stories from Vietnam by Walter McDonald

Function of Theme
Theme is an element of a story that binds together various essential elements of a narrative. It is often a truth that exhibits universality, and stands true for people of all cultures. Theme gives readers better understanding of the main character’s conflicts, experiences, discoveries, and emotions as they are derived from them. Through themes, a writer tries to give his readers an insight into how the world works, or how he or she views human life.

Source:
https://literarydevices.net/theme/