Making themes more interesting – contrasting ideas

Identifying contrasts

When you discuss a theme in your text, remember to look beyond the simple themes of love, hate, family, relationships, power, nature and society by working out what clash of opposites is at the heart of that subject. For example:

• conflict – us versus them, friends versus foes, the state versus the citizen
• family – feelings of safety versus desire for independence
• love – desire for something forbidden
• power – the individual versus the state, man versus nature
• place – an idea of paradise versus reality, the idea of home versus exile
• nature – the separation of man from nature or natural beauty versus violence