THEME AND SYMBOLISM THESAURUS

PURPOSE



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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:
Purpose gives life meaning.
Everyone has a purpose.
If you don't have a purpose, you just don't know what it is yet.
You'll never be fulfilled living outside of your purpose.
When you're living according to your purpose, the associated sacrifices are easier to make.
Your purpose doesn't have to be monumental to make a big difference.

LIES (ANTI-THEMATIC STATEMENTS) YOUR CHARACTER MIGHT BELIEVE:
If I'm not being useful, my life has no meaning.
You don't need a purpose to be happy.
The concept of purpose was invented to make people feel better about themselves.
I have no purpose.
Nothing I do matters.
Nothing in this life is worth sacrificing myself for.

CHARACTER TRAITS TO SUPPORT OR CHALLENGE THE THEME:
ANTISOCIAL, CHILDISH, CYNICAL, FOOLISH, FRIVOLOUS, GREEDY, INDECISIVE, OBSESSIVE, PRETENTIOUS, PUSHY, SPOILED, UNETHICAL, UNGRATEFUL, WORKAHOLIC, AMBITIOUS, APPRECIATIVE, BOLD, CONFIDENT, CREATIVE, EMPATHETIC, GENEROUS, HOSPITABLE, HUMBLE, IDEALISTIC, JUST, NATURE-FOCUSED, OBSERVANT, PASSIONATE, PROTECTIVE, SOCIALLY AWARE, SPIRITUAL, WISE

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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