THEME AND SYMBOLISM THESAURUS

STAGNATION



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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:
If you're standing still, you're not moving forward.
Stagnancy is a sign of slow death.
Everything stagnant eventually begins to stink.

LIES (ANTI-THEMATIC STATEMENTS) YOUR CHARACTER MIGHT BELIEVE:
I'm happy with things the way they are.
Change is too scary for me.
This is my life.
If I take a risk, I'm going to get hurt. 
Being safe and secure is the most important thing.
I can't move forward if it means leaving others behind.
I'm too old to change.
I'll always be stuck here (in grief, addiction, insecurity, etc.).

CHARACTER TRAITS TO SUPPORT OR CHALLENGE THE THEME:
ADDICTIVE, APATHETIC, COWARDLY, FRIVOLOUS, IGNORANT, INFLEXIBLE, INSECURE, LAZY, PERFECTIONIST, PESSIMISTIC, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE, ADVENTUROUS, AMBITIOUS, ANALYTICAL, DISCIPLINED, FOCUSED, OBSERVANT, OPTIMISTIC, PATIENT, PERSISTENT

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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