THEME AND SYMBOLISM THESAURUS

FAMILY



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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:
Blood is thicker than water.
Family comes first.
Healthy families are the bedrock of healthy communities. 
Families come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
True family isn't necessarily biological.
Sometimes, family ties need to be broken.
Families can nurture and sustain or ruin and destroy.

LIES (ANTI-THEMATIC STATEMENTS) YOUR CHARACTER MIGHT BELIEVE:
I must stick by my family no matter what.
Loyalty to family means total obedience.
Family knows best (not me).
The family's needs should always come before my own.
Genetics define me.
Being a good son/daughter requires sacrifice.
The family legacy is more important than anything else.
You can't change where you come from.
I can't keep them safe.
I'm going to end up just like my mother/father/sibling/etc.
I can never escape my family.

CHARACTER TRAITS TO SUPPORT OR CHALLENGE THE THEME:
AFFECTIONATE, AMBITIOUS, ANTISOCIAL, CONTROLLING, COOPERATIVE, CRUEL, DISCREET, DISLOYAL, HONORABLE, HOSPITABLE, INDEPENDENT, INNOCENT, LOYAL, MANIPULATIVE, NURTURING, OBEDIENT, PROTECTIVE, REBELLIOUS, RECKLESS, SELFISH, SENTIMENTAL, SOCIALLY AWARE, SUBSERVIENT, SUPPORTIVE, TRADITIONAL, TRUSTING, UNCOMMUNICATIVE, UNCOOPERATIVE, UNSELFISH, VIOLENT

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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