Themes in a novel?

Question

Is "Consequences" considered a theme in a novel?

Answer 1

It certainly can be. One prime example that springs to mind is "Lord Jim" by Joseph Conrad.

The whole novel explores the "consequences" of one ill-considered action.

Another is "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens:

"A central theme in the novel concerns Pip's resolution of the conflicts in his life, trapped as he is between Miss Havisham's vindictiveness and Magwitch's gratitude. Pip had many difficult choices to make in this part of the novel. He must face difficult issues because of the choices he has made. Thus we see choices and consequences as a theme. The climax also occurs in this sections. (Ch. 32-44)"

Here's a definition of "theme":

"Themes are the "keys" to understanding the novel. All novels and poems have themes that the author wants to get across to the reader. If nothing else, a theme is the impression that a reader gets that the book is about. It is not the action of the story, but rather the reader's interpretation of the purpose of the action. A theme can be a moral but it is not the same thing because not all books have traditional morals. Themes are arguably the most important aspect of a novel because they are the reason for the author's writing the novel. Themes are often vague principles or emotions, such as good versus evil, abuse of power, love, change or growing up."

Answer 2

No, a theme is a sentence. You could say that the theme is "Our actions have consequences," but consequences in itself is not a theme.

Here's a definition that I did not come up with on my own: "theme is the underlying truth and universality of human experience expressed in literature. Theme answers the question, 'What does the story mean?'"

Some criteria that go along with that definition:
"
1. Theme must be expressible in the form of a sentence statement not as a single word or concept.
2. The theme must be a generalization about life.
3. The generalization must not be larger than the story can support.
4. Theme is the central and unifying concept of a story.
5. There is no one way to state the theme.
6. Avoid any statement that reduces the theme to some cliche or proverb or familiar moral."

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Hmm, sort of. the consequence of one action or event is not really a theme, the exploration of the consequences of many actions or events sounds like the structuring of a narrative rather than a 'theme'. you need to look for concepts which link the cause and effect relationships you have identified. for example when discussing romeo and juliet you might talk about the theme of the consequences of falling in love, i.e. the sacrafice of friendship, family and self. although a better way of talking about 'themes' in a novel is to identify a few specific themes, rather than a very general one. dont fall into the trap of generalising. Your question makes it sound like you think there are 'themes' which exist which authours explore in novels, but there are no concrete 'themes'. Instead there are recurrent ideas, images, concepts which have different levels of significance, either to you as reader or to the authour. try to find a more specific theme or set of themes in the novel.

Answer 4

I think it can be part of a theme. However, it can also be part of a premise. I found an author of a book that explains this really well (I think). I really enjoyed James N Frey's How to Write a Damn Good Novel books. I think it is the first one that has a chapter on themes and premises.