themes Archives - Kibin Blog https://www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/tag/themes/ Creating Better Writers Wed, 18 Sep 2019 21:23:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 4 Hunger Games Themes for a Killer Analysis https://www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/hunger-games-themes-analysis/ https://www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/hunger-games-themes-analysis/#respond Tue, 10 Sep 2019 00:00:53 +0000 https://www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/?p=8225 Read more "4 Hunger Games Themes for a Killer Analysis"]]> Every once in a while, for better or worse, there’s a series of books that catches like wildfire. Think the Harry Potter series, the Twilight books, or—the subject of this post—The Hunger Games trilogy. Books like these not only gain massive popularity with readers but also make other writers pick up the genre and put out similar works.

But why? What makes The Hunger Games or any of the other trend-setting series so popular?

There are many factors, but one of the main ones is that readers really relate to the themes. And right now, we’re going to dive into a few Hunger Games themes and see what makes them so interesting and relatable—and hopefully give you some ideas for an essay.

Love & Sacrifice in The Hunger Games

two siblings lovingly embracing while walking down a road

Love is a theme that’s been written about since people started writing in the first place. The Hunger Games explores many facets of love, but the one thing it hits on most is that love often drives people to sacrifice their comfort, safety, and even their own lives.

It all starts with the love Katniss has for Prim. Instead of letting her little sister face almost certain death, Katniss volunteers to take Prim’s place in the Hunger Games. Katniss doesn’t think she has a chance of winning, but she wants to give her sister a chance of living.

The thing I liked most about this series was the way it didn’t rely too heavily on romance. However, that doesn’t mean it’s devoid of romantic love. Peeta is head-over-heels for Katniss, and he shows that by sacrificing his safety to try to ensure hers.

It starts when they’re children. He purposely burned bread so that he could give it to Katniss when she was starving—even though he knew his mom would get mad and hit him. That sense of love and sacrifice shows up multiple times in the arena, from Peeta joining the Careers to trying (and failing) to power through his wounds so that Katniss wouldn’t put herself in danger to get him medicine.

While there’s a lot of bloodshed in this series, love and sacrifice are among the most ubiquitous Hunger Games themes. But remember—The Hunger Games books are dystopian novels, not strictly love stories.

Control Through Division in The Hunger Games

close up of hands gripping a fence in fear

Since this is, after all, a dystopian series, one of the Hunger Games themes most people think of is that of totalitarian rule or control through division.

Suzanne Collins did a great job of world-building when she was thinking about the government and governance of Panem. Each district is divided, and most people aren’t allowed to cross into another district. The districts all have one specific good they focus on producing. For District 12 (Katniss’s district), it’s coal. District 11 focuses on agricultural products, etc.

Here’s why controlling the districts is so effective—each district only has one type of main export and can’t move freely between districts. In other words, the districts are completely reliant on the government to distribute the other items they need to survive.

The Capitol is completely divided from all the districts. The culture is much different. In fact, people in the Capitol don’t even send their children to the Hunger Games, while every district must have two tributes. This is also a way for the Capitol to maintain control.

The people of the Capitol view the Hunger Games as some type of sporting event because they’re not personally invested in the Games. They don’t know anyone who’s died in the Games, and that’s what allows them to continue. And because the Hunger Games continue year after year, President Snow is able to instill fear into the districts on an annual basis.

Power Shifts in The Hunger Games

a fallen king on a wooden chessboard

Of course, you can’t just have a whole country with districts that are completely cut off from one another. And what happens when they’re no longer divided? Power struggles and power shifts.

There are a lot of moments that build up to the full-on rebellion of the third book. One of the first is when Katniss sings to Rue and lays flowers around her. This was broadcast in every district and showed that two children from different districts cared about each other. This moment also motivates the people in District 11 to start standing up to their oppressors later on in the series.

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And then you have District 13. Even though it’s secluded (the other districts believe 13 was wiped out completely), the district is quite strong. However, it would be impossible to overthrow President Snow if the people of District 13 hadn’t connected with Plutarch Heavensbee, who knew his way around the Capitol and had the means to steal a hover jet when escaping to 13.

District 13 also needed Katniss, who was a symbol of the rebellion—the Mockingjay. Katniss was a face everyone from every district recognized. More importantly, her kindness to Rue and people from other districts made people more willing to band together.

Image in The Hunger Games

purple-haired queen with glowing, golden appearance

Out of all of The Hunger Games themes, the theme of image or appearance is the one I like thinking about the most. No matter which character you examine, you’ll find that each is more than her or his appearance.

Katniss, for instance, is socially awkward and doesn’t know how to schmooze while she’s in the Capitol, and that makes a lot of people in the Capitol think that she’s not going to do very well. But she comes alive when she has a bow in her hand.

No person purposely puts on more of an image than President Snow. He hides his threats in hushed tones and flowery language—and he hides his awful mouth sores with actual flowers.

The appearance of the Capitol as a whole is colorful and shiny. However, we learn from Finnick that virtually everyone in the Capitol has some pretty dark secrets.

The arena is where image plays one of the most important roles. The competitors have to keep up their images (Katniss has to pretend to be more in love with Peeta than she actually is, for instance) just to get extra items like medicine.

The arena is also just one big illusion. The sky isn’t real, and the monsters aren’t real. It’s all manufactured. But it feels real to the competitors—and the danger is most certainly real.

(Writing about specific characters in the books? Read 3 Hunger Games Characters and How to Write About Them for insight on how to tackle a character analysis.)

Which Hunger Games Theme Will You Write About?

The above themes are just four examples to get you started as you brainstorm your essay topic. There’s much more evidence to support both these themes and additional themes you can explore on your own.

Here’s how some other students wrote about different Hunger Games themes:

It’s important to remember that your writing will be its best when you choose a topic that 1) has enough evidence to support your thesis and that 2) you can connect with.

Need some extra help with literary analysis? Check out these resources:

And to make sure your writing really is the best it can be, the editors at Kibin are here for you. They’ll make sure you don’t have any grammar, spelling, or flow issues—ensuring your readers can focus fully on your awesome ideas.

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How to Write About 3 Important The Awakening Themes https://www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/write-3-the-awakening-themes/ https://www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/write-3-the-awakening-themes/#respond Tue, 02 Apr 2019 00:00:19 +0000 https://www.kibin.com/blog/?post_type=essay-writing-blog&p=6837 Read more "How to Write About 3 Important The Awakening Themes"]]> Ever wake up and say to yourself, “I need to make some changes in my life”?

Maybe you want a new job, a new college major, a new significant other, or even a new haircut. Whatever it happens to be, you know that something has to change.

If you’ve ever felt this way, you can relate to The Awakening and its protagonist, Edna Pontellier. Edna is need of some serious changes in her life, and not just the “I hate my haircut” kind of changes, either. She wants to make some serious, life-altering transformations.

It’s these transformations that are the basis for many of The Awakening themes. Interested in learning more? Keep reading to learn about three important themes in the novel.

A Little About Edna (and the Plot)

the awakening themes

Edna truly is a woman ahead of her (Victorian) time.

She realizes she doesn’t have a strong connection with her husband and maybe doesn’t even love him. Instead of suffering in silence, which is what would be expected of her during the Victorian Era, Edna yearns to break free of the gender roles that have kept her oppressed.

The plot of The Awakening

While on vacation, she ends up falling in love with Robert, but she’s pretty bummed when he leaves town. It’s after her vacation (and after Robert is absent from her life) that she turns to hobbies, such as painting and playing the piano, to pass the time and mend her broken heart.

Edna isn’t the type of gal to sit around moping, though.

Another man, Alcee, flirts with her, and while her husband is in New York for work, she begins an affair with Alcee. There really isn’t a love connection this time, however. It’s more of a friends-with-benefits relationship as Edna is still in love with Robert.

All of these new feelings surrounding passion, love, and independence leave Edna more than confused, and she ultimately decides to move into a home by herself in order to be fully independent.

But Robert throws a wrench in all of this when he returns from Mexico. You’d think Edna would be head over heels and ready to say yes to his marriage proposal, but she turns him down. She doesn’t want to belong to anyone—not to her husband and not to Robert.

Robert and Edna’s conversation about their future together is cut short, however, because she gets called away because her friend is in labor. Edna asks Robert to wait, but he doesn’t.

Again heartbroken, she returns home feeling lonely and isolated. She knows all of this is a result of her choices, of her expressing her independence, and of her straying from societal norms.

At the end of the novel, Edna goes for a swim and drowns, but the reader can’t be sure whether the drowning is accidental or if she has committed suicide.

In essence, Edna is a rebel who pays the ultimate price for her individuality.

3 Important The Awakening Themes

The Awakening is rich with themes, but the themes I’ve included here all focus on Edna and how her character establishes three key themes of the book.

I’ve also included a few example essays along the way, so make sure to check them out to see what other writers have to say about The Awakening themes.

Identity

the awakening themes

As you mature and begin to form your own identity, you realize your likes, dislikes, and who you are as a person.

These discoveries may be as simple as the day you announce to your parents that you no longer want to be called “Andy.” You want to be called by your full name: Andrew.

Or your discovery may be an entire lifestyle change as you declare that you’ve become a vegetarian.

Like most of us, Edna Pontellier is still trying to figure out her own identity, but she’s experiencing an identity crisis.

She’s not so worried about whether she eats a burger or a salad for dinner, but she is concerned about what she’s called. No, she’s not worried about being called “Edna” or “Eddie.” She’s struggling with the labels of “wife” and “mother.”

She longs for independence and doesn’t want to be tied to these labels and lifestyles as Victorian standards require. It’s this identity crisis that causes her to explore her sexual desires through affairs, explore hobbies (such as painting and playing the piano), and assert her independence by living alone.

Her identity crisis may have also led to her death as she likely committed suicide because she simply didn’t feel as though she belonged within the current constraints of society.

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How to write about the theme of identity

If you decide to write about identity as a theme, you can approach the essay in a few ways.

You might decide to write a literary analysis about the theme itself and provide examples from the novel (like those I’ve mentioned above) that illustrate Edna’s quest for her own identity.

Check out compare and contrast essay. After all, Edna isn’t the first female character to search for her own identity.

You might, for instance, compare Edna’s journey to that of Nora Helmer in A Doll’s House. Nora, too, is unhappy in her relationship and leaves her husband and children in an attempt to find herself.

Here is an example essay that explores both characters’ search for identity and the turmoil they suffer throughout the stories.

You might also compare Edna’s journey to a current or classic film.

Ever see the classic movie Thelma and Louise? The movie is about two best friends (named, of course, Thelma and Louise) who long to escape their ordinary lives. They want a chance to experience greater independence and leave the men in their lives behind, which means that they’ve definitely got something in common with Edna.

Gender Roles

the awakening themes

The role of a Victorian woman was pretty much set in stone: obey your husband, be a dutiful mother, and be a respectable lady.

Edna’s BFF, Adele, is by most accounts the quintessential example of the Victorian woman who does anything and everything to make her family happy and make her home pleasant and cheerful. She is the wife and mother that society feels Edna should emulate.

Edna, however, can’t seem to make that happen.

She doesn’t fit the mold as she wants more for herself and doesn’t want to (or can’t) live her life for someone else. She longs for the kind of independence that society does not afford women of the Victorian era.

How to write about the theme of gender roles

Comparing Edna and Adele and their feelings toward expectations for their roles in society could be an excellent strategy for discussing gender roles in the novel. You might also complete a more detailed character analysis of one or both of the women to explore the theme of identity.

Of course, gender roles have been debated throughout history, so you could certainly discuss Edna’s thoughts of gender roles as they compare to historical or current roles of women.

Looking for an example of a finished paper about the theme of gender roles in The Awakening? Take a look at these three example essays:

Isolation

the awakening themes

Throughout the novel, it’s apparent that Edna doesn’t feel like a part of her community.

At the start of the novel, she doesn’t feel comfortable telling her husband about her desire to find herself and to be independent. She feels lonely and isolated because of these feelings and thus seeks to find some comfort in her female friends.

The women, however, are almost exact opposites of Edna. They are doting wives and mothers who believe strongly in their assigned roles of the era. This clash of opinions and beliefs only serves to further isolate Edna as she doesn’t even fit in with her friends.

When Edna eventually asserts her independence and acts on her impulses, she has two affairs and moves into her own home. These actions further force her into isolation as the man she falls in love with, Robert, ends the affair, leaving her alone.

Edna’s rebellion from her traditional societal roles results in complete isolation and her eventual suicide.

How to write about the theme of isolation

If you’re writing about the theme of isolation, once again, you might write a standard literary analysis, a compare and contrast essay, or a character analysis.

You might also try a more personal approach (if your assignment permits) by writing a reflection of how your life parallels Edna’s feelings of isolation.

Take a look at these two example essays to see how writers compare their own lives to Edna’s.

Wake Up and Start Writing

the awakening themes

Now that you have some ideas on The Awakening themes detailed above, If you’ve been putting off writing your essay, it’s time you get started.

Need a little help putting the wheels in motion? Here are a few quick tips:

Having trouble waking up and getting started? Struggling with any (or all) of the steps in the writing process? Have a finished draft but aren’t sure you’ve properly tackled The Awakening themes (or theme) you’ve selected?

If so, let a Kibin editor read what you have so far. We’re happy to help with any step—from putting your ideas into motion to adding the finishing touches.

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3 The Handmaid’s Tale Themes to Analyze in Your Essay https://www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/the-handmaids-tale-themes/ https://www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/the-handmaids-tale-themes/#respond Tue, 19 Mar 2019 00:00:31 +0000 https://www.kibin.com/blog/?post_type=essay-writing-blog&p=6921 Read more "3 The Handmaid’s Tale Themes to Analyze in Your Essay"]]> You’ve just finished reading The Handmaid’s Tale. You know the plot backward and forward. You know all about chemical spills, the oppression of women, declining fertility rates, and the story of a Handmaid (Offred) and her life in a totalitarian society.

The problem? You haven’t quite figured out what it all means.

If you’re struggling to understand The Handmaid’s Tale themes, keep reading to learn more about three key themes to analyze in your essay. (I’ve also included essay ideas to help you get started with your analysis and a few example essays to help inspire your writing.)

3 Key The Handmaid’s Tale Themes

As you consider The Handmaid’s Tale themes included in this list, keep in mind that a theme is different than the plot.

The plot is what happens in the story. In this case, the plot revolves around the tale of a Handmaid named Offred.

A theme is an underlying meaning (or message) of the story. In this case, The Handmaid’s Tale themes include the dangers of complacency, freedom (or lack thereof), and power in a dystopian society.

the handmaid's tale themes

Theme #1: Dangers of complacency

People (especially women) who live in Gilead have seen their freedoms, including education and intimacy, stripped away in their now-totalitarian society. Women are no longer known by their own names, but as titles that reflect their roles in society (Handmaids, Wives, or Marthas).

Yet even though freedom has all but vanished, many simply do as they’re told. As long as they receive some concessions, something tangible that they see as a benefit, they’re happy.

Essentially, they become complacent, and this has allowed increasingly more freedom to be taken away.

The Guardians of the Faith and The Eyes are prime examples. They have little control over their own lives, but they’re essentially spies watching over others. Because they have this seemingly small amount of control, they’re more willing to accept their roles and the rules of society.

Their complacency continues as long as they’re given some amount of control (over something or someone). People become so accustomed to their lives that they don’t always see the true dangers of living in a society in which they’re under complete control of the government.

the handmaid's tale themesEssay idea:

Connect the theme of complacency to current political and social debates.

Many people today worry about freedoms being stripped away. Consider connecting The Handmaid’s Tale to current discussions of gun control, abortion, or freedom of speech.

Essay example

Looking for further inspiration? Check out this example essay that connects The Handmaid’s Tale to current society.

Theme #2: Freedom (or lack thereof)

the handmaid's tale themes

The Handmaid’s Tale takes place in a society now called Gilead. It’s a dystopian society where freedom is virtually non-existent.

Gilead, though, is the new name of the society. It used to be called the United States.

Many citizens in Gilead still remember what life was like in the US before the rebellion. The narrator, Offred, for instance, often thinks back to her lost freedom, her separation from her family, and her inability to continue any form of education.

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In Gilead, both men and women are repressed sexually. They have no freedom to choose their own sexual partners or experience intimacy. Education is also prohibited. After all, keeping people uneducated means that the totalitarian government can maintain control over society.

As in many dystopian novels, most citizens of Gilead are content to accept their new lives and lack of freedoms. But there are some, such as Moira, who never accept the loss of freedom and continue fighting for independence.

the handmaid's tale themesEssay idea:

Examine how The Handmaid’s Tale fits into the dystopian genre and compares to other dystopian novels.

Oppression and lack of freedom is a common theme in dystopian novels. Consider examining how the theme of freedom in The Handmaid’s Tale fits into the dystopian genre.

You might also write a comparison and contrast essay to compare the theme of freedom in The Handmaid’s Tale to other dystopian novels, such as 1984 or Fahrenheit 451.

the handmaid's tale themesEssay idea:

Discuss how the novel The Handmaid’s Tale is similar to or different from other adaptations.

The Handmaid’s Tale was made into a film in 1990 and more recently adapted as a television series in 2017. You might compare the film and television versions. Alternatively, you could compare one or both video adaptations to the original novel.

Essay example

Want to read an example essay about oppression and lack of freedom in The Handmaid’s Tale? Take a look at The Oppression of Men and Women in The Handmaid’s Tale, a Science Fiction Novel by Margaret Atwood.

Theme #3: Power

the handmaid's tale themes
“Bateman’s Row, Big Brother Is Watching You” by James, Flickr.com (CC BY 2.0)

The government of Gilead exerts total control over its people. Through force and violence, the government obtained power. It uses the same force and intimidation to maintain power.

The government engages in war with surrounding countries and uses the same violence on its own citizens. Public hangings serve as torture to victims and as ominous warnings to others who may consider breaking laws.

Under totalitarian rule, people not only lose their identities and freedoms, but also must follow strict rules in public regarding how they speak to each other.

Citizens, for instance, are watched by military personnel and spies, known as Eyes. Handmaids are even kept in constant fear by the Aunts, who have the power to abuse and torture Handmaids.

The government continually uses this level of intimidation and violence to keep people fearful of consequences and thus subservient to those in power.

the handmaid's tale themesEssay idea:

Compare Gilead to one or more governments in history.

 

Examine the rise of authoritarian governments throughout history, such as communism in China or the rise of Nazism in Germany. Consider the methods used by the government to obtain power and maintain control over its citizens. Does the government of Gilead use any of the same techniques?

Essay example

Interested in reading an example essay about the theme of power in The Handmaid’s Tale? Check out Power and Control in the Republic of Gilead in The Handmaid’s Tale, a Novel by Margaret Atwood.

Lost in Thought?

the handmaid's tale themes

Sometimes writing means you’re simply stuck.

You might have a few vague ideas for your paper on The Handmaid’s Tale themes but have a massive case of writer’s block and simply can’t put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). If you’re feeling that way now, try these 4 proven ways to overcome writer’s block.

Sometimes writing means you have a ton of broad ideas for a paper but are still struggling to narrow a topic and find the perfect idea for your paper.

If you’re still working on just the right focus, check out these example essays for ideas:

Sometimes writing also means you have a bunch of ideas swirling around in your head but aren’t yet sure how to put them all together into an effective essay.

If you’re in need of a little more help with essay writing, use these additional resources to help you get started:

And of course, sometimes writing means you have a completed draft of paper that is supposed to analyze a theme but you aren’t sure whether you’re simply rehashing the plot or writing a thoughtful analysis.

If you’re in need of an expert’s opinion, send your paper to Kibin.

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4 Important Fahrenheit 451 Themes That Are Worth Analyzing https://www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/fahrenheit-451-themes/ https://www.kibin.com/essay-writing-blog/fahrenheit-451-themes/#respond Thu, 01 Feb 2018 01:00:32 +0000 https://www.kibin.com/blog/?post_type=essay-writing-blog&p=5822 Read more "4 Important Fahrenheit 451 Themes That Are Worth Analyzing"]]> Imagine a world where there are no books to read. If you’re a student, sometimes that might feel like a dream come true.

Now imagine a world with nothing to read. That includes no internet (and certainly no social media). That dream can quickly turn into a nightmare.

In Fahrenheit 451, a ban on books is in place (and not just a public school ban on seemingly objectionable literature). All books are banned. As the novel progresses, readers learn that not everyone is happy about the lack of information and intellectual stimulation.

If you’re trying to stimulate your intellect and write an “A” paper, today is your lucky day. This post includes four important Fahrenheit 451 themes to help you write a successful essay.

(Need to analyze a Fahrenheit 451 character? Read Everything You Need to Know About 4 Fahrenheit 451 Characters.)

4 Important Fahrenheit 451 Themes That Are Worth Analyzing

Before you continue reading this post, pause to reflect on the meaning of theme. Remember, a theme is the underlying meaning of a text. It’s not simply what the story is about.


A theme is the underlying meaning of a text. It’s not simply what the story is about.
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For instance, The Scarlet Letter is about Christians, but that’s not necessarily a theme. Themes in The Scarlet Letter include sin and hypocrisy, and they illustrate the underlying meaning of the work.

Fahrenheit 451 is about people burning books and citizens who aren’t able to—and often don’t want to—read, but these aren’t themes of the novel.

If you’re struggling to come up with Fahrenheit 451 themes to write about in your essay, keep reading.

I’ve included four of the most important Fahrenheit 451 themes. Within the discussion, I’ve also included a few tips to help you write about these themes. I’ve even included a few links to example papers for additional writing inspiration.fahrenheit 451 themes

1. Dissatisfaction

This is one of those cases where appearances are deceiving.

At times, everyone seems to be happy because no one has to think about anything. People can just sit around and watch TV all day.

Once you dig a little deeper, though, you soon realize that most people aren’t happy. They just don’t want to admit that they’re dissatisfied with their existence.

If you’re thinking you may have read something like this before, consider the short story Harrison Bergeron. It also focuses on a dystopian future where people spend time watching TV and not thinking about much of anything, yet they’re vaguely aware of being unhappy.

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Considering the similarities between the two stories and their themes, this could be a great opportunity to write a compare and contrast essay about science fiction literature that takes place in a dystopian future.

Or you might focus more specifically on the theme of dissatisfaction in “Harrison Bergeron” and Fahrenheit 451. 

Take a look at this example to read an essay that compares “Harrison Bergeron” and Fahrenheit 451.

You might also consider analyzing Fahrenheit 451 as part of the science fiction genre.

Many science fiction tales tell the story of a future society in which people are unhappy because they let government change civilization. Consider how these futuristic stories are all warnings to the people of today.

Check out Three Lessons for the Readers in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury to see one writer’s interpretation of lessons and warnings in Fahrenheit 451.

2. Technology

The theme of technology is one that almost anyone today can relate to.

In Bradbury’s novel, television reigns supreme. People no longer get information from books. Instead, they watch TV all day and let information be delivered to them. They don’t have to think, wonder, or learn anything new. They don’t even have to speak to each other.

It’s not too much of a leap to apply this scenario to life today.

People may not watch as much television as they used to, but they make up for it by watching plenty of cat videos on YouTube. People hold conversations on Facebook and text rather than speak to each other in person or on the phone.

People can even become addicted to technology and lose touch with the world outside of their screens. When writing about the theme of technology, you could easily argue that some aspects of this novel have already come true.

Thinking about writing an argumentative essay but not sure what the finished product might look like? Read 2 Argumentative Essay Examples With a Fighting Chance.

Want to learn more about the dangers of technology and how they’re portrayed in Fahrenheit 451? Read this example essay.

3. Literature

fahrenheit 451 themes

If you’ve ever taken a literature class (and I imagine you have since you’re writing about a novel), you’ve probably been part of (or at least listened to) a lively debate about the subjects you’re studying.

This intellectual debate is exactly what no longer exists in the world of Fahrenheit 451.

While there are a few characters in the novel who believe that books and the information they contain are valuable, many disagree.

This type of “debate” among characters is the debate those in power wish to eliminate by burning books (and houses), but it’s clear that simply burning books won’t extinguish the quest for knowledge.

Should you decide to write about the theme of literature in actual literature, this topic makes for a perfect literary analysis.


When writing a literary analysis about theme, you don’t have to write only about theme.
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Remember, when you’re writing a literary analysis about theme, it doesn’t mean that you have to write only about theme. Pull out those literary terms to discuss how elements such as characters, plot, and setting play a part in developing theme.

Take, for instance, Guy Montag. He is battling a rage fire within himself as he’s unhappy about his existence and is hiding books. Yet he works as a fireman who fights against books and knowledge.

His character and his battles (with others and within himself) help develop the theme of literature.

Need more help with writing a literary analysis? Read How to Write a Literary Analysis That Works and 15 Literary Terms You Need to Know to Write Better Essays.

4. Wisdom

The theme of wisdom is prevalent throughout the novel. The city is without books, but characters still try to seek knowledge. Montag seeks wisdom not only from books but also from others (such as the professor).

This search for wisdom also illustrates the debate regarding the value of books as teaching tools as wisdom can be passed down from person to person, not just through reading a book.

As a student, you’ve spent plenty of time reading books and listening to teachers.

If you’re trying to connect the Fahrenheit 451 theme of wisdom to your own life, you might write an opinion essay to discuss your own beliefs as to whether wisdom is obtained primarily through books or is primarily passed down from others.

Not sure how to incorporate literature into a personal or opinion essay? Check out The Importance of Literacy in Life to see how one writer tackled the topic.

Knowledge Is Power

fahrenheit 451 themes

Whether you’re learning from others—such as your teachers, parents, or friends—or you’re learning from reading information in textbooks, news websites, or engaging blogs (like this one), the important thing is that you’re not taking reading (and learning) for granted.

After all, even if you complain a heck of a lot about reading too many books for your classes, you wouldn’t really want textbooks to be banned, would you?

Eager to learn even more? If you’d like to learn more about your own writing (and how to improve it), let a Kibin editor help you with the finer points of revision.

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