THEME AND SYMBOLISM THESAURUS

VANITY



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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:
Closely related to BEAUTY, vanity can be defined as an excessive pride in one's looks or achievements. It connotes an element of futility and superficiality because the things the character values are fleeting and won't bring true fulfillment.

THEMATIC STATEMENTS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOUR STORY:
Vanity is hollow.
Beauty is only skin deep.
Those who think too highly of themselves are destined to fall.
If your identity is based on what others think of you, you'll never know who you are.
Social media encourages vanity.
Good looks open doors.
You only get one chance to make a good first impression.

LIES (ANTI-THEMATIC STATEMENTS) YOUR CHARACTER MIGHT BELIEVE:
My appearance defines me.
What others think of me matters.
I need all the latest fashions and styles.
My social media "likes" determine my value.
Success is determined by prestigious friends and beautiful people.
I must be better than everyone else.
Image is everything.
I deserve the best things in life, regardless of the cost.
What you have is a measure of who you are.

CHARACTER TRAITS TO SUPPORT OR CHALLENGE THE THEME:
EXTRAVAGANT, FRIVOLOUS, INSECURE, JEALOUS, MATERIALISTIC, MATURE, PERFECTIONIST, SELF-INDULGENT, FLAMBOYANT, HUMBLE, UNINHIBITED, 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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