THEME AND SYMBOLISM THESAURUS

ISOLATION



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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:
Isolation occurs when someone is separated (physically or emotionally) from others, resulting in feelings of loneliness. While it is often an unintended side effect of life events, it can also be self-imposed. In contrast, ALIENATION is most often involuntary and is directly caused by the actions of others.

THEMATIC STATEMENTS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOUR STORY:
You cannot heal in isolation. 
No one is an island.
People are designed to do life with others. 
Isolation leads to depression.
You can be isolated in a crowd.
Technology has made us more disconnected than ever.
In the end, we all die alone.
Short-term isolation brings revelation, spiritual awakening, etc.

LIES (ANTI-THEMATIC STATEMENTS) YOUR CHARACTER MIGHT BELIEVE:
I don't need friends.
It's easier to be on my own.
I'm better off alone.
No one wants to be with someone as screwed up as I am.
I don't want any attachments.
I don't know how to love.
If I let someone in, I'll just disappoint them.
I have nothing to offer.
I'm happier on my own.

CHARACTER TRAITS TO SUPPORT OR CHALLENGE THE THEME:
ANTISOCIAL, APATHETIC, COWARDLY, CYNICAL, EVASIVE, EXTROVERTED, HAUGHTY, INFLEXIBLE, MARTYR, MORBID, OVERSENSITIVE, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE, SELF-INDULGENT, SPOILED, STINGY, UNCOOPERATIVE, WITHDRAWN, WORKAHOLIC, AFFECTIONATE, APPRECIATIVE, INDEPENDENT, INDUSTRIOUS, INTROVERTED, LOYAL, NURTURING, PRIVATE, SUPPORTIVE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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SYMBOLISM EXAMPLES IN STORIES:
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