Theme and Symbolism: PRIDE

PRIDE

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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:

Certain aspects of pride are positive, such as being proud of a hard-earned accomplishment or taking pleasure in a child's success. It becomes a negative when the person begins to think they're better than those who lack what the character has. This excessive form of pride is the focus of this entry. It's closely related to VANITY (a form of pride), though vanity is usually centered on image and outward appearance.

THEMATIC STATEMENTS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOUR STORY:

Pride comes before a fall.
Anyone who thinks they're not proud probably is.
Pride makes spirituality impossible.
Pride disguises a strong feeling of inferiority.
You can't learn anything when you think you know everything.
There's a fine line between confidence and pride.

LIES (ANTI-THEMATIC STATEMENTS) YOUR CHARACTER MIGHT BELIEVE:

I'm surrounded by idiots.
If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.
I'm too good for these people/this place.
The rules don't apply to me.
Everyone listens when I talk.
This place would fall apart without me.
I can't waste time on people who can't keep up.
I've mastered X; no one can teach me anything more about it.
I'm the best and should be treated as such.
People should look up to me.

CHARACTER TRAITS TO SUPPORT OR CHALLENGE THE THEME:

COCKY, EXTRAVAGANT, GREEDY, INSECURE, JUDGMENTAL, KNOW-IT-ALL, MATERIALISTIC, PERFECTIONIST, PREJUDICED, PRETENTIOUS, VAIN, AMBITIOUS, APPRECIATIVE, CONFIDENT, HUMBLE, SPIRITUAL

WOUNDS THAT MAY SHAPE A CHARACTER'S PERSPECTIVE:

BECOMING HOMELESS FOR REASONS OUT OF ONE'S CONTROL, BEING FIRED OR LAID OFF, BEING RAISED BY A NARCISSIST, DISCOVERING HIDDEN INFORMATION ABOUT ONE'S ANCESTRY, FINANCIAL RUIN DUE TO A SPOUSE'S IRRESPONSIBILITY, FINDING OUT ONE'S CHILD WAS ABUSED, GROWING UP IN THE SHADOW OF A SUCCESSFUL SIBLING, LEARNING THAT ONE'S PARENT WAS A MONSTER, POOR JUDGMENT LEADING TO UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

CREATIVE WORKS THAT EXPLORE THIS THEME:

Pride and Prejudice
Othello
The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Fountainhead
Remains of the Day
The Old Man and the Sea
Moby Dick
The Bonfire of the Vanities

NATURAL SYMBOLS FOR THIS THEME:

Lions
Eagles
A tall pine or spruce tree
A strutting rooster
Peacocks

HUMAN & SOCIETAL SYMBOLS FOR THIS THEME:

A freshly washed or waxed car
A manicured lawn
A neat and tidy home
Framed certificates and awards on the wall
Trophies in a glass case
Medals and ribbons
An autograph
Award ceremonies
Parades
A diploma
A college acceptance letter
A corner office
The leading role in a play
Status symbols (one's name on a placard, business cards, a club membership, etc.)
The popular clique at school
Parents bragging about a child's accomplishments