Finding the theme of a book is tough for some students because the theme is something you determine on your own, not something you find stated in plain words. The theme is a message about life that you take away from the book, or a symbol that keeps appearing and reappearing throughout the work.
The theme could also be a mood that you feel while you read the book. For instance, many books are called Gothic, because they have a dark and brooding feel to them.
Still confused? Take a look at these themes that characterize many famous novels. You may see how these themes fit books you have read.
Life Lesson Themes
Can your book’s message be summed up by one of the words or phrases below?
- Birth
- Death
- Heroism
- Escape
- Love
- Journey
- Coming of age
- Patriotism
- Peace and war
- Hope
- Hopelessness
- Generation gap
- Home
- Betrayal
- Lust for power
- Isolation
- Judgment
- Fortune
- Family
- Sense of self
- God and spirituality
- Good and evil
- Duty
- Survival
- Conformity
- Individualism
- Deception
- Race relations
- Suffering
- Alienation
- Loss
- Discovery
Symbols
A reoccurring symbol can also be a theme in a book. These are symbols that appear in many books.
- Birds
- Buildings
- Cats
- City
- Feathers
- Fire
- Plants
- Snakes
- Trees
- Water
Even if none of the themes and symbols above fit the book you have in mind, this list might help you understand what a book theme looks like.
