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:
REDEMPTION is a popular literary theme that's closely tied to TRANSFORMATION. The latter is about evolving from a flawed being to someone better. Redemption stories showcase characters who have failed in the past addressing their prior mistake or failure. Through personal epiphanies and hard work, they try again and succeed. In doing so, they are freed from the bondage of their past and can move into health and healing.
THEMATIC STATEMENTS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOUR STORY:
Nobody is beyond redemption.
Some people are irredeemable.
Self-revelation is a key part of redemption.
Redemption always requires a sacrifice.
LIES (ANTI-THEMATIC STATEMENTS) YOUR CHARACTER MIGHT BELIEVE:
I don't deserve redemption.
I can't overcome my past.
This is who I am; I should just live with it.
There's nothing in my past that I need to deal with.
I can redeem myself by ____ (becoming the person people want me to be, giving up my ideals, buying friends, etc.)
Redeeming myself will fix the hurt I've caused.
CHARACTER TRAITS TO SUPPORT OR CHALLENGE THE THEME:
APATHETIC, COWARDLY, DEFENSIVE, FRIVOLOUS, HYPOCRITICAL, INFLEXIBLE, INSECURE, KNOW-IT-ALL, RESENTFUL, STUBBORN, WEAK-WILLED, ANALYTICAL, APPRECIATIVE, COURAGEOUS, DECISIVE, DISCIPLINED, FOCUSED, HUMBLE, INDUSTRIOUS, JUST, MERCIFUL, PERSISTENT, PERSUASIVE, RESPONSIBLE, SPIRITUAL, TOLERANT
WOUNDS THAT MAY SHAPE A CHARACTER'S PERSPECTIVE:
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CREATIVE WORKS THAT EXPLORE THIS THEME:
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HUMAN & SOCIETAL SYMBOLS FOR THIS THEME:
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SYMBOLISM EXAMPLES IN STORIES:
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SEE ALSO:
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