Themes are central ideas or underlying messages explored in a literary work. They go beyond just summarizing events and characters; instead, they reflect broader concepts about life and human nature.
Think of themes as the main ingredients in a recipe. Just like how different ingredients come together to create a delicious dish, various elements in a story combine to convey the central themes that leave a lasting impact on readers.
Motifs: Motifs are recurring elements or patterns that contribute to the development of themes.
Symbolism: Symbols can be used to represent and reinforce themes within a literary work.
Irony: Irony is when there's a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, often used to highlight or emphasize certain themes.
Study guides for the entire semester
200k practice questions
Glossary of 50k key terms - memorize important vocab
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.