When thinking about the conflict and resolutions of the story what should you ask yourself when trying to identify the theme?

1 answer

When trying to identify the theme of a story in relation to its conflict and resolutions, consider asking yourself the following questions:

  1. What are the main conflicts? - Identify both the external and internal conflicts faced by the characters. What challenges do they confront?

  2. How are these conflicts resolved? - Look at how the characters address their issues. What actions do they take, and what outcomes arise from these actions?

  3. What changes do the characters undergo? - Reflect on how the characters evolve throughout the story. Do they learn lessons, gain insights, or change their perspectives?

  4. What message is the author conveying? - Think about what the author might be trying to communicate through the story. What insights about life, society, or human nature are being expressed?

  5. What emotions are elicited? - Consider the emotional responses the story invokes. How do these emotions relate to the conflicts and resolutions?

  6. What broader societal or moral implications are present? - Examine if the conflicts resolve in ways that reflect larger themes such as justice, love, sacrifice, redemption, or the human condition.

  7. How do the characters relate to the theme? - Analyze how the characters’ journeys illustrate the theme. Are they representative of a larger struggle or concept?

  8. What symbols or motifs appear throughout the story? - Identify recurring images or phrases that reinforce the central theme. How do they connect to the conflicts and solutions?

By exploring these questions, you can gain a deeper understanding of how the conflict and its resolution contribute to the overarching theme of the story.