What the Heck Are Themes in Novels—And Why Should You Care?

Themes, themes, themes.
Everyone talks about them. Readers, writers, teachers—they all throw the word around like we’re supposed to just get it. But what the heck is a theme, really?

If you’ve ever wondered what themes are, or why they matter in fiction (classics or modern books), you’re not alone. In this post, I’m breaking it all down for you—no fancy stuff, just simple truth.

Read on.

So… What Is a Theme?

A theme is the big idea behind a story. It’s not what happens in the book—that’s the plot. A theme is what the story is about deep down.

Think of it like this:

Plot = what happens
Theme = what it means

It’s the message the author wants you to think about—even if they never say it out loud.

Examples of Themes (You’ve Seen These)

Even if you didn’t know the word “theme,” you’ve already seen them. Here are some super common ones:

• Love and loss (Romeo and Juliet)
• Good vs. evil (Lord of the Rings)
• Survival (The Hunger Games, Robinson Crusoe)
• Growing up (Anne of Green Gables, The Catcher in the Rye)
• Power and corruption (Animal Farm, Macbeth)
• Revenge (Hamlet, The Count of Monte Cristo)

The same theme can show up in a hundred different stories. What makes it interesting is how each author explores it.

Are Themes Always Deep?

Nope. Some are deep and emotional. Others are simple. Some books have one strong theme. Others have several mixed together.

Here’s the thing: you don’t need to figure it all out right away. Themes often show up after you finish reading. You think back and go, “Oh… so this whole thing was really about freedom. Or fear. Or trust.”

It sneaks up on you like that.

Why Should You Care?

You might ask, “Why does it even matter? Can’t I just enjoy the story?”

Of course you can. But here’s what themes do:

• They help you connect with the story on a deeper level
• They make you think, even after the book ends
• They help you relate the story to your own life
• And if you’re a writer? They help you shape your message

Once you know a book’s theme, you start seeing patterns in other stories—and in real life, too.

So… How Do You Spot a Theme?

Here’s a simple way:

1. Look at what the characters struggle with.
   Are they trying to find themselves? Escape something? Fix a broken friendship?
2. Ask what the story keeps coming back to.
   Is it about truth? Justice? Family? Forgiveness?
3. Notice how it ends.
   The way a story wraps up often shows what it’s really been about.

Final Thought: Themes Are Everywhere (Even If You Don’t Notice Them)

Themes aren’t some secret code only English teachers know. They’re just the big ideas that help stories mean something.

You don’t need a checklist. You don’t need to “get it right.” Just read, feel, and think. The theme will show up—trust me.

Over at Inspanet, we explore the themes hiding in all kinds of classic stories—whether it’s about love, freedom, or the fight to be understood. And if you’ve got a favorite book but don’t know what the theme is? Hit us up. We love digging into stories just like that.

Next time you read a novel, don’t just ask “What happened?”
Ask: “What was it really about?”

That’s where the good stuff lives.