The Art of Unraveling Literature Through Themes

Literature is a tapestry woven from the threads of human experiences, emotions, and
ideas, skillfully tailored through the fabric of storytelling. The author, or the tailor, sews together
each element one by one to create a captivating literary work; and at the heart of literary works
lies the pivotal concept of a Theme. Themes serve as the needle which binds together various
elements within a literary work, including point of view, characters, plot, structure, and more,
ensuring a seamless narrative in which the author tells the story. Therefore, themes are not
mere abstract concepts; they are the linchpins that unite all the threads to create a beautiful
tapestry. To comprehend them is to delve into the author’s mind, understanding how each word,
phrase, sentence, paragraph, and message contributes to the intricate beauty of the literary
work. As we embark on this journey, we will uncover the art of analyzing literary works through
the themes explored; all of which will be discussed in this essay.
First and foremost, when analyzing literary works through themes, we can begin with
basic steps, such as comprehending the literary work as a whole and understanding the role of
themes within it. As the one who analyzes literary works, it is crucial to recognize the
relationships among the various elements that serve as tools, weaving the fabric of stories and
creating a well-tailored literary work. Sometimes, a theme can be discovered through such
simple actions, yet the tools mentioned above encompass characters and their characterization,
plot development, tone, underlying values, and more. Authors strategically employ these tools to
address numerous “what” questions related to the story: Who are the characters shaping the
narrative, what actions propel the plot, what attitudes and intentions drive the character’s
behaviors, what values underlie the author’s message, and countless “what’s this” and “whats
that” that guide us in understanding the story. In addition to comprehending the story, we, as
readers who analyze the story, also need to understand the general purpose of themes in order
to identify a theme within a particular literary work. The importance of themes in literature can
be overestimated; but it is clear that themes allow the author to control and give order to their
perceptions of life. Once we have answers to every thread that has contributed to a literary
work, it will lead us to a broader understanding that encompasses it, for understanding themes
can provide a window into the author’s worldview, so we can uncover potential themes
underlying the story as written by the author.
Second, given that we already have a plenty of potential themes in our analysis, we
should choose the one that we believe best represents the story; this can be identified by
comparing which of the potential themes is most supported within the literary work under
focus. We can deduce that the more an idea is supported in the story, the more advantageous it
would be to select it to be the focus of our analysis. For example, there are plenty of themes we
can explore in the Harry Potter series, such as friendship, family, and the concept of Good vs.
Evil; if we apply the theory mentioned above, it is clear that the concept of Good vs. Evil can
easily take the spotlight in our analysis. Throughout the Harry Potter series, there are many
events that support the theme “the concept of Good vs. Evil,” whether it is the minor one like the
interaction of Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter, or the major one, such as the central storyline
involving Voldemort and Harry Potter. Furthermore, due to the many events supporting this
theme in the story, it is easier to demonstrate that the theme we have chosen is one of the
threads that the author, as a tailor, uses to sew the fabric of the story. This makes the progress of
our analysis significant, as we already choose one theme to take the spotlight.
Lastly, to support our analysis, we must diligently seek as much evidence as we can; for
evidence is not only necessary to bolster each statement in our theme analysis, but it is also
essential for building a compelling argument. Evidence can be gleaned from the literary work by
quoting or paraphrasing part of the story that align with the main theme we have chosen. In the
case of the Harry Potter series, if we wish to explore the concept of Good vs. Evil, we can
substantiate our argument by gathering substantial evidence that highlights how Harry Potter
and Voldemort serve as the representative for Good and Evil. Moreover, to further fortify the
theme we have selected, we should actively seek out secondary sources. These sources may
include insights from the author, like J.K. Rowling’s statements about the Harry Potter series, or
they could be related to previous literary analyses that delve into the concept of Good vs. Evil in
a literary work. Utilizing secondary sources not only supplements our analysis but also offers
diverse perspectives on how different scholars connect the thematic threads using the tools they
have chosen. Yet, it is paramount to remember that evidence is undeniably the linchpin of a
literary analysis; for regardless of the brilliance of the ideas we state, without substantial
evidential support, our argument remains incomplete and unconvincing.
On the whole, this essay discusses three essential steps to embark on the journey of
analyzing literary works through themes. First, we must comprehend the work as a whole and
understand the role of themes within it. Then, in our analysis, we should select the theme that
best represents the story by assessing the level of support within the work. Lastly, to reinforce
our analysis, we must diligently gather evidence to substantiate our chosen theme. Analyzing a
literary work through themes is a journey that unveils the intricacies of the fabric behind a
particular tapestry and offers a deeper understanding of how the tailor stitches it. By following
the outlined steps, we can identify themes as one of the tools used to shape the fabric of stories
and appreciate the beauty of the tapestry that author’s sews.

Reference:
Jefferson State Community College Libraries: A Writer’s Handbook: Theme Analysis Idea
Development. (n.d.). https://library.jeffersonstate.edu/c.php?g=798707&p=5721955