THEME AND SYMBOLISM THESAURUS

BEGINNINGS



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HELPFUL TIP:

Your story's theme is its central message to readers and can be reinforced with specific symbols and motifs pulled right from the setting. Additionally, symbols woven into a scene can underscore your character's emotions, establish mood, and even generate conflict. Explore your story theme thoughtfully and use associated symbols to do more with less.
THEMATIC STATEMENTS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOUR STORY:
Every journey, no matter how long, begins with the first step.
The first step is always the hardest.
Beginnings are filled with innocence, hope, and purpose.
Start the way you mean to go on.
Every moment can be a new beginning.
No one is ever too old to begin something new.
The excitement of beginning something new soon gives way to the hard work of reality.
In order to start something new, you have to let go of the old.
For something new to begin, something else has to end.
When one door closes, another one opens.
You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

LIES (ANTI-THEMATIC STATEMENTS) YOUR CHARACTER MIGHT BELIEVE:
I'm too set in my ways to start over.
It's too hard to begin again.
Things are fine the way they are.
No matter what changes I make, I can't escape my past.
If I change, I'll lose my friends/family/partner/etc.
The risk of failure is too high.
I don't deserve a second chance.

CHARACTER TRAITS TO SUPPORT OR CHALLENGE THE THEME:
COWARDLY, CYNICAL, DEFENSIVE, FUSSY, INDECISIVE, INFLEXIBLE, INHIBITED, INSECURE, KNOW-IT-ALL, NERVOUS, RECKLESS, SELF-INDULGENT, SPOILED, WEAK-WILLED, ADAPTABLE, ADVENTUROUS, AMBITIOUS, BOLD, CAUTIOUS, CURIOUS, DECISIVE, DISCIPLINED, ENTHUSIASTIC, FOCUSED, IDEALISTIC, INDEPENDENT, INDUSTRIOUS, OPTIMISTIC, PASSIONATE, PERSISTENT, SENTIMENTAL, SIMPLE, SPONTANEOUS, TRADITIONAL, WISE

WOUNDS THAT MAY SHAPE A CHARACTER'S PERSPECTIVE:
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CREATIVE WORKS THAT EXPLORE THIS THEME:
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NATURAL SYMBOLS FOR THIS THEME:
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HUMAN & SOCIETAL SYMBOLS FOR THIS THEME:
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SYMBOLISM EXAMPLES IN STORIES:
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