Changes

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] teme, theme, from Anglo-French & [[Latin]]; Anglo-French, from Latin thema, from [[Greek]], [[literally]], something laid down, from tithenai to place  

[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] teme, theme, from Anglo-French & [[Latin]]; Anglo-French, from Latin thema, from [[Greek]], [[literally]], something laid down, from tithenai to place  

*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century]

*Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1 a : a subject or [[topic]] of [[discourse]] or of artistic [[representation]] <guilt and punishment is the theme of the [[story]]>

*1 a : a subject or [[topic]] of [[discourse]] or of artistic [[representation]] <guilt and punishment is the theme of the [[story]]>

In the visual arts, a '''theme''' is a broad [[idea]] or a [[message]] conveyed by work done in a [[visual]] [[experience]], such as a [[performance]], a [[painting]], or a [[Film|motion picture]]. This [[message]] is usually about life, [[society]] or [[human]] [[nature]]]. Themes are the [[fundamental]] and often [[universal]] [[ideas]] [[explored]] in a work. Themes are usually implied rather than explicitly stated. Deep thematic [[content]] is not required in a visual work; however, some [[observers]] would say that all visual work [[inherently]] projects some kind of [[Perspective|outlook]] on life that can be taken as a theme, regardless of whether or not this is the [[intent]] of the [[author]]. [[Analysis]] of [[changes]] (or implied change) in [[dynamic]] characteristics of the work can provide [[insight]] into a particular theme.

In the visual arts, a '''theme''' is a broad [[idea]] or a [[message]] conveyed by work done in a [[visual]] [[experience]], such as a [[performance]], a [[painting]], or a [[Film|motion picture]]. This [[message]] is usually about life, [[society]] or [[human]] [[nature]]]. Themes are the [[fundamental]] and often [[universal]] [[ideas]] [[explored]] in a work. Themes are usually implied rather than explicitly stated. Deep thematic [[content]] is not required in a visual work; however, some [[observers]] would say that all visual work [[inherently]] projects some kind of [[Perspective|outlook]] on life that can be taken as a theme, regardless of whether or not this is the [[intent]] of the [[author]]. [[Analysis]] of [[changes]] (or implied change) in [[dynamic]] characteristics of the work can provide [[insight]] into a particular theme.

A theme is not the same as the subject of a work. For example, the subject of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars Star Wars] is "the battle for [[control]] of the [[galaxy]] between [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactic_Empire_(Star_Wars) Galactic Empire] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebel_Alliance Rebel Alliance]". The themes [[explored]] in the movies might be "[[moral]] [[ambiguity]]" or "the [[conflict]] between [[technology]] and [[nature]]".

A theme is not the same as the subject of a work. For example, the subject of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars Star Wars] is "the battle for [[control]] of the [[galaxy]] between [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactic_Empire_(Star_Wars) Galactic Empire] and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebel_Alliance Rebel Alliance]". The themes [[explored]] in the movies might be "[[moral]] [[ambiguity]]" or "the [[conflict]] between [[technology]] and [[nature]]".

Themes differ from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motif_(visual_arts) motifs] in that themes are [[ideas]] conveyed by the [[visual]] [[experience]] as a whole, while motifs are repeated [[symbols]] found inside an over-arching theme. Simply having repeated [[symbolism]] related to chess, does not make the [[story]]'s theme the similarity of life to chess. Themes arise from the interplay of the plot, the characters, and the [[attitude]] the [[author]] takes to them, and the same [[story]] can be given very [[different]] themes in the hands of [[different]] [[authors]].

Themes differ from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motif_(visual_arts) motifs] in that themes are [[ideas]] conveyed by the [[visual]] [[experience]] as a whole, while motifs are repeated [[symbols]] found inside an over-arching theme. Simply having repeated [[symbolism]] related to chess, does not make the [[story]]'s theme the similarity of life to chess. Themes arise from the interplay of the plot, the characters, and the [[attitude]] the [[author]] takes to them, and the same [[story]] can be given very [[different]] themes in the hands of [[different]] [[authors]].

While thematic [[analysis]] is a primary concern of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_critic Art critics], a minority [[viewpoint]] holds that explicitly stating the theme of a work [[universal]]izes it in an inappropriate way. For example, many [[love]] stories end happily when the [[hero]] and heroine [[Marriage|marry]], thus the theme "Marriage equals [[happiness]]." Critics would point out that marriage rarely does simply equate to [[happiness]] and that marriage and happiness are [[individual]] and [[cultural]] intangibles that may or may not relate.

While thematic [[analysis]] is a primary concern of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_critic Art critics], a minority [[viewpoint]] holds that explicitly stating the theme of a work [[universal]]izes it in an inappropriate way. For example, many [[love]] stories end happily when the [[hero]] and heroine [[Marriage|marry]], thus the theme "Marriage equals [[happiness]]." Critics would point out that marriage rarely does simply equate to [[happiness]] and that marriage and happiness are [[individual]] and [[cultural]] intangibles that may or may not relate.

The term theme may be used in the same way to refer to works of [[literature]]. A theme is the main [[idea]], or [[message]], of an essay, paragraph, or a [[book]]. Along with plot, character, setting, and [[style]], theme is [[considered]] one of the [[fundamental]] components of [[fiction]]. It is the [[universal]] [[statement]] or [[feel]] when you [[read]] a piece of [[writing]].

The term theme may be used in the same way to refer to works of [[literature]]. A theme is the main [[idea]], or [[message]], of an essay, paragraph, or a [[book]]. Along with plot, character, setting, and [[style]], theme is [[considered]] one of the [[fundamental]] components of [[fiction]]. It is the [[universal]] [[statement]] or [[feel]] when you [[read]] a piece of [[writing]].

[[Category: Languages and Literature]]

[[Category: Languages and Literature]]