Subject Subject is the general thing that a work is about. It is an overall topic that should not be confused with theme. Common subjects of literary works include: childhood, nature, love, war, struggle, death, courage, hope, loyalty, freedom. Within such broad subjects, there can be many different themes.

Theme Theme is a main idea in a work. For example, a work on the subject of love might have as its theme the idea that love brings both joy and pain. A work on the subject of war might have as its theme that in war there can never be true victory.

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Subjects Found in Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

The American Dream

This term derives from the idea that America is the land of opportunity where all individuals are able, through desire and hard work, to accomplish their goals and achieve success. This dream invloves the longing for, and the hope/belief that it is possible to attain, such things as wealth, independence, land, popularity, fame, and self-determination. back

The Quest

The quest is a popular subject found in literature. A quest is a journey to attain an object or goal, such as Sir Galahad searching for the Holy Grail. Although the goal may not be attained, no quest is without a conclusion of some sort, often in the form of gaining understanding as a result of the arduous journey. A quest has three necessary elements:

1. an object or goal to be attained. The object or goal may not always be something tangible. For example, an individual may be on a quest for spiritual enlightenment.
2. a difficult journey to attain the object or goal. The journey may not always be a physical journey. It can instead be psychological, emotional, intellectual or spiritual.
3. a conclusion to the journey. The conclusion may not always invlove attaining the object or achieving the goal of the quest. Instead, the conclusion may be some important realization or understanding derived from the trials and tribulations of the journey. back

Ostracism/Dispossession

Ostracism is the shunning or casting out of an individual or individuals from a group. Individuals are often ostracized because the group perceives them to be different in some way, and the group either does not understand or fears that difference. Dispossession occurs when individuals are deprived of their possessions such as land or property. One can also be dispossessed of intangible possessions such as human rights, dignity and respect. There are many negative effects of ostracism and dispossession. back

Unconventional Morality

Conventional morality addresses issues of right and wrong or good and evil in terms of society's perception and belief in these concepts as absolute standards for behavior and judgment of behavior. Unconventional morality occurs when what would be considered good and evil or right and wrong changes under certain circumstances. back

Friendship/Family/Belonging

In his Hierarchy of Human Needs, Abraham Maslow lists the need to belong to a group next in importance to such physiological needs as food and water and safety needs such as shelter. A person can belong to a family, religious or social group. back

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