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A theme is not the same as the subject of a work. For example, the ''subject'' of '' Green Eggs And Ham '' is "everyone wants to eat green eggs and ham, no matter the location". The ''theme'' might be "have an open mind". Themes differ from Motifs in that the use of a motif need not imply an attitude. Repeatedly having characters play chess need not entail a theme. However, both "mastering chess teaches valuable skills for dealing with real life"" and "mastering chess is an escapist retreat from reality that renders the players even less fit to deal with life" could be themes of stories. 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. For instance, the source for Shakespeare's '' Romeo And Juliet '', Matteo Bandello 's The Tragicall History Of Romeus And Juliet gave the story the theme of "the wickedness and folly of marrying without parental consent",
but in Shakespeare's hands, the same story acquires the theme of "the wickedness of feuds and parental heavy-handedness in preventing young love from marrying." The term theme may be used in the same way to refer to works of Theatre and Film . EXAMPLES OF LITERARY THEMES Hamlet by William Shakespeare : Themes include:
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald : Themes include:
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy : Themes include:
The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain : Themes include:
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