Universal themes in story can start out as statements. Love conquers all. Order leads to harmony. Heroes are always right. Loyalty to family is absolute. Universal themes are understood in any culture. They are assumed to be straightforward. Correct. Concrete. But in the writer’s hands, themes become human. They become specific. In other words, writers deepen these general themes and give them power by creating compelling stories.
By building stories around themes, writers personify them. Think of any romance where “love conquers all,” Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, many wonderful present day romance stories, and the ever-present Chicken Soup for the Soul books. What they all contain is the human side of the theme. The writer shows through actions and characters how this theme holds up in the real life of a story.
But showing the theme to be true or false is only the surface of the story. The difficult job for the writer in creating a memorable story is to add tension. Tension drives the story. Conflict, both internal and external, shows the deeper meaning of theme. Conflict should be specific to one character or a small group of characters in the form of a belief. If we think about the theme of family loyalty, we can see how easily it can become misguided; abused spouses staying with their abuser for family reasons; children believing it is their fault they are being abused. Of course the theme of loyalty can be political or faith-based too.
The struggles you show in the story branch off your main theme. They show the inner conflict and why the character behaves as he or she does. Story events show the literal obstacles the character faces in life that are hampered by that internal, often misguided belief of the theme.
If I use my college memoir as an example with a main theme of believing in oneself, through backstory, the reader learns that Victoria had struggled through elementary school and finally makes the honor roll [good grades] by eighth grade. But when she comes to her father, a man who has always shown her love, to have him sign off on her choice of college prep courses for high school, he wouldn’t do it. Instead, he told her college wouldn’t work for her. She wasn’t smart enough.
It comes to the power of words from someone you trust and love. Because her father didn’t believe she could survive college, Victoria becomes locked in a vicious cycle of not believing in herself, in what she could accomplish. What Victoria comes to realize in this memoir story is that the power to believe in oneself comes from within. This power to believe in oneself, to obtain it and keep it, is a constant struggle for many people of all cultures.
Well, what do you think? Please feel free to offer any insight or ask any questions regarding the universal theme of believing in oneself for my college memoir. It would be truly appreciated.
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Yes, believing in yourself is vital, that is a problem for so many due to their upbringing, life experiences, Victoria.
It is also stressed that people read books in order to learn how others cope with problems, nothing new in that, of course. What currently interests me is the belief that the character, whilst struggling to achieve what he/she wants, is, through this experience, finally led to what character really needs.
On occasions, when by accident this has been the premise of my story, the book has been successful. Just a thought that seems to fit with my long life 🤗
Hi Victoria – we definitely need to believe in ourselves. I would hope today we'd be able to decide on our own futures and get our parents' agreement. I'm sure people still try to control … yet we all need to believe – and it will come through in the end. Cheers Hilary
I think that's a good theme.
I never plan a theme but halfway through the story, one always emerges.
My themes emerge too. I tend to mess myself up if I try to plan ahead for them. Plotting is easier to me then planning theme.
Themes can accidentally change for me. As I'm going along, sometimes strong dialogue turns up in conflict I didn't know existed 🙂
Theme can be surprisingly difficult to nail: some great advice here.
Inspiring post Victoria
Great post. Thank you. Liked that you mentioned Chicken Soup! Take care.
I find it interesting how themes can change unexpectedly while writing. My theme of Love Conquers All suddenly changed to Fate Is Only What You Make Of It; taking charge of your life is the key to finding happiness. A great post! Thanks for sharing! You can check out my website as well at http://www.brigittekirady.com
Funny how you thought love conquered all and I thought if one obsesses, it has the power to kill. Tragic to be sure.
Anna from elements of emaginette
It is difficult for a child to believe in herself if her family doesn't believe in her. Sounds like great conflict.
Susan Says
Powerful post. Thank you.
Yeesh, how good is this quote! "The writer shows through actions and characters how this theme holds up in the real life of a story." You could teach this post, it's so good.
Seconded
Thank you so much for sharing your insight here at Adventures in Writing. Your words are hopeful to me. Good for you having successful books. Believing in oneself is truly a widely used theme.
And thank you so much for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your weekend!
Thank you, Hilary. I feel parents need to consider all that they say to their children. Sometimes, young minds choose to hang on to hurtful words more than the hopeful ones.
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That's true, Alex. Many times writers begin with surface story, the action of the plot, and then discover a deeper meaning showing through the character.
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I have trouble with that sometimes, Juneta. Since I like adventure, I enjoy plotting more. But all writers should at least consider what the deeper level of their stories is.
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This can happen, Erika. Of course, the writer needs to go back into the story and be sure the theme/conflict is set up properly for the reader.
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Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Kerry! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a note. Theme is extremely difficult to nail down. At least I think so.
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Thank you for your kind words, Tony. And thank you so much for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks for your kind words. I would love to be published in Chicken Soup again, Dawn. Guess I better find time to write another essay for them.
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Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Brigitte! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a note.
I feel writers start with a universal statement and then fine tune it to fit the character and story they are trying to tell. Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you found the post helpful. Please stop by Adventures in Writing again!
It's all about perspective, Anna. I believe obsessions can kill. It is too tragic.
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Thank you so much, Susan, for sharing your insight here at Adventures in Writing. It's appreciated more than you know. Regardless of how much a child may struggle in school, her family needs to believe in her so she can believe in herself.
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Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Cassandra! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a note. And thanks for your kind words. I hope you found the post helpful. Please stop by Adventures in Writing again. All best to you!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Raimey. They are appreciated more than you realize. It's always such a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much for your note. Enjoy your weekend!
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You have a powerful post here. Thank you.
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You have so much knowledge of what makes a good story and book, Victoria, which is fantastic guidance in the creation of your memoir. Yes, your theme is universal, so I’m sure a lot of people can relate. Believing in oneself is difficult when your surroundings “claim” otherwise, or when external factors makes this focus hard. You did and are doing a good job!
I treasure your comments, Liesbet. Always. I need to hear these encouraging words. Thank you, my dear! It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy the upcoming weekend!
Family dynamics, peer & society pressure all play a part in how we perceive ourselves. This is the core of a writer's Muse – to use that experience to convey a deeper character.
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Mandy B! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a note. You are absolutely correct. Family dynamics, peer & society all color the personality of real people as well as our character creation.
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