THEME AND SYMBOLISM THESAURUS

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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 person embodies twin desires for order and chaos.
Ritual and tradition are key to establishing order.
True freedom requires order.
Without law and order, society would devolve into chaos.
Order isn't the natural way of things; it has to be fought for.

LIES (ANTI-THEMATIC STATEMENTS) YOUR CHARACTER MIGHT BELIEVE:
To maintain order, I have to keep things the same.
Everyone should be as ordered and structured as me.
Structure is too confining for me.
I can reject the structural hierarchies around me (in government, at work, in my family, etc.).
To maintain order, things need to be done my way.
I can retain order through rituals and habits.
I'm the only one who knows how to do anything around here.
Any challenge to the status quo will result in chaos.
Control is the only way to keep order.

CHARACTER TRAITS TO SUPPORT OR CHALLENGE THE THEME:
ANTISOCIAL, COMPULSIVE, CONTROLLING, DISORGANIZED, FUSSY, IMPULSIVE, INFLEXIBLE, PERFECTIONIST, SUPERSTITIOUS, VOLATILE, DISCIPLINED, METICULOUS, ORGANIZED, SPONTANEOUS, TRADITIONAL

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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