how does a writer develop and establish central themes?(Ficition

[Ilusa]

Hi I'm writing a paper comparing how this is done in a number of ficitonal texts but I'm not exactly sure what I should be looking for. So far I've come up with perspective, and possibly foreshadowing. I'm really looking for large definite categories I can discuss. Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks

[WingedWolf]

Hi Ilusa, it sounds like you're looking more at the structure of the texts and how they were written. Central themes have more to do with a symbol or a metaphor that the author explores throughout the work. Themes often deal with an abstract (but don't have to) such as love or time.
Hope this helps!

[Ilusa]

Thanks wingedwolf.

The question was how they develop and establish the themes, so I think we're not meant to discuss the themes but how they are crafted.
So for example I looked at how a first person narrator changes how a theme develops due to the influence/subjectivity of the narrator. I'll definately write about symbolism aswell, thanks for the suggestion. I'll still probably need a few more so if anyone has any more suggestions that would help me so much.

[aquarium444]

Hi I'm writing a paper comparing how this is done in a number of ficitonal texts but I'm not exactly sure what I should be looking for. So far I've come up with perspective, and possibly foreshadowing. I'm really looking for large definite categories I can discuss. Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks

Start with:
Man verus man.
Man versus nature.
Man versus the supernatural.
Man versus himsef.
....

[WingedWolf]

Ah, I see what you mean. I think foreshadowing is a good start. I think that a good way to organize your study would be to make a plotline of the story in terms of the theme. How is it introduced? How is it devoloped throughout the story? What relevations are made about the theme by either the characters or the author? (If any)

[kelby_lake]

Thanks wingedwolf.

The question was how they develop and establish the themes, so I think we're not meant to discuss the themes but how they are crafted.
So for example I looked at how a first person narrator changes how a theme develops due to the influence/subjectivity of the narrator. I'll definately write about symbolism aswell, thanks for the suggestion. I'll still probably need a few more so if anyone has any more suggestions that would help me so much.


Study characters that you think are part of the theme. For example, if you were looking at 'world of the rich' as a theme in The Great Gatsby, you'd look at Gatsby, Daisy, Tom, and Wilson for a contrast.

Posing questions related to the theme, whether it's the characters asking each other in dialogue or a question raised by the action.