What is THEME?

[Whispersecret]

Jon Hayworth has a thread going about plot, and on it we started talking about theme. There was some disagreement about plot vs. theme.

From what I understand, a plot is the sequence of events in a story. Because there are recurring types of stories with similar sequences of events, plots can be categorized. For instance, a story in which a hero is wronged and subsequently exacts his revenge could be classified as a Revenge plot.

However, (and this is where some of the disagreement formed) I don't see revenge as the theme, perse. I see theme as the "message" of the story or book. What is the story trying to tell you about life?

In the revenge story, the theme would depend on how the protagonist ended up feeling about his revenge. Perhaps the author, using the story as a vehicle, communicates that focusing your entire life on revenge can be a waste. Or not. Depending on the story.

What is theme to you?

 

[Guest]

It's the main idea of the story. It's definitely not the plot. I don't see how there can be disagreement on this, these facts are readily available in any dictionary, book of writing that deals with theme, or literature reader.

Theme: Major idea.
Plot: pattern of action, chain of events.


-KillerMuffin

 

[deliciously_naughty]

Theme for me is somethign akin to category...is it romance, is it about sex? Plot is what makes it come alive

 

[JUDO]

Story themes are usually truths.

You can never go home again. (Platoon, The Planet of the Apes)
You can't judge a book by its cover. (Beauty and the Beast, Cool Running)
The grass is always greener. (The Little Mermaid, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre)
Blood is thicker than water. (The Godfather, Next of Kin)
No man is an island. (Norma Rae, The Shawshank Redemption, Independance Day)
He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword.(Gladiator, The Unforgiven), etc....

It is the underlying truth by which the story is governed, or attempting to explain by example, or both.


- Judo

 

[NaughtyMike]

I think a heavy theme might fuck up a good porno story.

Good themes would be:

Never get a blow job from a girl up an over bite.

Don't fuck in your parent's bed, if you don't know where they are.

Don't eat the yellow snow.

If it tastes like shit, spit it out.

Never jog naked with 5 black guys.

Don't trust a hooker with your wallet.

Never tickle a woman when she has your dick in her mouth. (One I actually used.)

Never use a bar rag for anything other than what it was originally intended.

A cucumber is not a toy.

Dogs are curious loving creatures.

 

[Quasimodem]

Mike,

Those are not so much 'themes' as verities.