THEME AND SYMBOLISM THESAURUS

ILLNESS



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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.
NOTES:
This theme can apply to physical and mental illness.

THEMATIC STATEMENTS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOUR STORY:
Illness is a part of life.
Illness is a punishment.
Anything can be meaningful if you give it meaning. 
Everyone is broken in some way.
To appreciate the light, one must travel through darkness.
Illness can be a doorway to strength.
Illness results from a lack of faith.
Society doesn't favor the weak.
Everyone should have access to basic healthcare.
For people to get better, we need to destigmatize illness.

LIES (ANTI-THEMATIC STATEMENTS) YOUR CHARACTER MIGHT BELIEVE:
I deserve this.
If I have enough faith, I can be healed.
It's all in my head.
This illness defines me. 
This isn't fair.
I'm sick, so people should cater to me.
Nothing good can come of this.
People think worse of me because of my sickness.
Life will never get better.
I'm a burden to others.
I'll pay any price and do anything to get better.
If someone gets sick, it's their own fault.

CHARACTER TRAITS TO SUPPORT OR CHALLENGE THE THEME:
ADDICTIVE, COMPULSIVE, CONTROLLING, DISHONEST, INATTENTIVE, IRRATIONAL, IRRESPONSIBLE, MORBID, NEEDY, OBSESSIVE, PESSIMISTIC, RECKLESS, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE, STUBBORN, UNCOOPERATIVE, UNETHICAL, UNGRATEFUL, ANALYTICAL, APPRECIATIVE, COURAGEOUS, DISCIPLINED, EMPATHETIC, INDEPENDENT, INDUSTRIOUS, JUST, KIND, MERCIFUL, METICULOUS, OBSERVANT, OPTIMISTIC, ORGANIZED, PATIENT, PERSISTENT, SOCIALLY AWARE, SPIRITUAL, STUDIOUS, SUPPORTIVE

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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