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.

It is important not to confuse a theme of a literary work with its subject. Subject is a topic that
acts as a foundation for a literary work, while a theme is an opinion expressed on the subject. For
example, a writer may choose a subject of war for his story, and the theme may be his personal
opinion that war is a curse for humanity. Usually, it is up to the readers to explore the theme of a
literary work by analyzing characters, plot, and other literary devices.

Presentation of Themes

A writer presents themes in a literary work through several means. A writer may express a theme
through the feelings of his main character about the subject he has chosen to write about.
Similarly, themes are presented through thoughts and conversations of different characters.
Moreover, the experiences of the main character in the course of a literary work give us an idea
about its theme. Finally, the actions and events taking place in a narrative are consequential in
determining its theme.

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)
11. The immigrant looked around to talk to somebody, but could find no one who spoke his
language. He felt claustrophobic and desolate.
(Theme of hopelessness)
 12. Only the laborers were working on Labor Day.
(Theme of irony)
13. The conference was in full swing, with scholars delivering knowledgeable lectures on
varying subjects. The audience enjoyed it immensely.
(Theme of learning)
14. The politician was delivering a speech on the need for peace between two neighboring
states. He said through peace they could achieve what not possible through war.
(Theme of peace)
15. The general commanded his troops to open fire at the enemy, and to kill each and every
soldier of the combatants.
(Theme of war)

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.

Kinds of Poetry: Narrative, Lyric, and Dramatic

Kinds of poetry: There are three great kinds of poetic writing:Narrative, Lyric, and Dramatic.

Narrative poetry

Narrative poetry tells a story with a plot, characters, and a setting.

In its loftiest form is the epic, which deals with gods and heroes. Epic, majestic both in theme
and style, is a long narrative poem about the feats of gods or heroes. Epics deal with legendary or
historical events of national or universal significance, involving action of broad sweep and
grandeur. Most epics deal with the exploits of a single individual, thereby giving unity to the
composition. Typically, an epic includes several features: the introduction of supernatural forces
that shape the action; conflict in the form of battles or other physical combat; and stylistic
conventions such as an invocation to the Muse, a formal statement of the theme, long lists of the
protagonists involved, and set speeches couched in elevated language. Commonplace details of
everyday life may appear, but they serve as background for the story and are described in the
same lofty style as the rest of the poem. The term epic is used in two senses. First, it is employed
as a general name to cover all forms of narrative poetry except drama. But it is used more
commonly to name that kind of narrative poetry of which Homer's Iliad is the noblest example.
Of the many definitions, the following is among the simplest: ''A poem celebrating in stately
verse the real or mythical achievements of great personages, heroes, or demigods. It is always
long and dignified. In English literature we find but one poem truly deserving the name
epic, Milton's Paradise Lost.

In its next elaborate form, with a suggestion of fairy lore, it appears as the theatrical romance. In
still simpler form, it comprises the story of a life in ordinary circumstances and is generally
termedmetrical tale.
In briefest form, it is a single incident from a life and is called a ballad. It is a songlike narrative
with stanzas and a refrain. Some of the most fascinating tales in all English literature are found in
the form of ballads, which, as the name suggests, were originally short tales intended to be sung.
In the eighteenth century when there was a revival of interest in earlier times, the ballads which
had been composed and sung throughout England during the Middle Ages were collected and
excited great interest because of their simplicity and wonderful dramatic power. They have
received loving study ever since. Not a few of our modern poets have imitated these ancient
models; but Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner, best of these modern attempts, though a
great poem, is inferior as a ballad to such originals as Sir Patrick Spens, or A Geste of Rohyn
Hode. One of the best collections of English lyrics is Palgrave's Golden Treasury of Songs and
Lyrics, a copy of which everyone should own. In this wonderful treasury are found many
varieties. There is the ballad, which though properly classed with narrative poetry, is sometimes
so touched with the tender emotion of the narrator that it becomes truly lyrical.

Lyric poetry

In direct contrast to the story-telling forms of poetry thus far considered is the lyric, the nature of
which it is quite necessary that the student understand clearly. We may read all of Shakespeare's
plays without becoming a whit the wiser concerning the dramatist's personal joys and sorrows.
Scott's Lady of the Lake acquaints the reader with Ellen Douglas, Roderick Dhu, James Fitz
James, and other personages real or imaginary, but not, save through inference, with Sir
Walter. Lyric poetry also falls into four classes: songs, elegies, odes, sonnets and express the
feelings of a single speaker. Lyrics are the most common type of poem in modern literature.

Elegies and odes are elaborate in structure and weighty in object.

The former deal with death, death either in general or as applied to a particular individual; the
latter are usually in praise of some person or thing.

The elegy, commonly defined as a "meditative poem of sorrowful theme, usually lamenting the
dead,” is well represented by Milton’s Lycidas and Gray's Elegy Written in a Country
Churchyard. The ode, also meditative, differs from other forms in that its structure is
complicated or irregular, and the feeling expressed more exalted. Wordsworth's Ode to Duty
serves as an example.

Sonnets are confined to fourteen lines, and the idea is developed according to a prescribed
scheme. Many of the best Lyrics are written in sonnet form—fourteen
Iambic pentameter lines with a definite rhyming scheme. This was a favorite form with Spenser,
Shakespeare, Milton, and Wordsworth. Songs follow a musical pattern and deal with such a
range of topics as love, war, loyalty, patriotism, friendship, nature, and deity.
Sacred songs are called hymns.

Dramatic poetry

Dramatic poetry falls into the two great classes of tragedy and comedy, supplemented by the
minor variations of farce, masque, morality play, miracle play, mystery play, interlude,
and opera. Dramatic poetry tells a story using a character’s own thoughts or spoken statement.