Myths & More

GIF from Whisper of the Heart , 1995 The Theme What is a theme? 1. The central idea of a story. 2. A full statement of the story. 3. Summarizes the human condition within the story. Why is a theme necessary? 1. Can be used to check if every scene fits the story. 2. Keeps the plot in check. 3. Drives the story forward. 3 Steps To Help You Find Your Story’s Theme What is the story about? What is the meaning behind the story? What is the lesson? These allow the writer to plot their story, write the actions and reactions within the story, and to make a statement on the human condition within the story. Bonus: The Lajos Egri Theme Cheat Sheet Lajos Egri was the author of The Art of Dramatic Writing and The Art of Creative Writing, which has been referenced for playwriting, short stories, novels, and screenplays. Egri uses a formula to find the theme in his writing: (blank) leads to (blank). For example, a woman making a new life with her partner in a foreign country leads to her reali

Illustration from "Silly Jura" Link to story. Title: Silly Jura Publication: Czech Folk Tales, 1917 (English: The Key of Gold, 1922) Author: Beneš Metod Kulda Translator: Josef Baudiš Notes: Beneš Metod Kulda (1820-1903) was a Czech priest, ethnographer and writer who retold many Czech folk tales, including Silly Jura. Josef Baudiš (1883-1933) was a Czech Celticist who translated various Czech stories into English, including the works of Kulda. Characters: Two brothers Jura  (pronounced “yoo-ra”) Burgomaster (mayor) The cat The lady Places: Czech Republic Events: Two brothers go out to steal items for a feast The brothers bully their youngest brother before leaving Jura goes to pick nuts at the burgomaster's place Jura cracks the nuts in the charnel-house (grave vault) The burgomaster and his servant go to investigate the cracking sound Jura accidentally scares off the two of them, indirectly curing the burgomaster’s illness The burgomaster rewards Jura the next d

The Basilisk Link to story. Title: The Three Roses Publication: Czech Folk Tales, 1917 (English:  The Key of Gold, 1922) Author: Josef Štefan Kubín Translator: Josef Baudiš Notes: Josef Štefan Kubín (1864-1965) was a Czech folklorist who published The Three Roses in 1917. Josef Baudiš (1883-1933) was a Czech Celticist who translated various Czech stories into English, including the works of Kubín. Characters: Mother Daughter 1 Daughter 2 Daughter 3, Mary Basilisk Places: Town market Forest Castle Palace garden Events: Mother asks her daughters if they want souvenirs Mother goes to the town market Mother gets lost in the forest during nightfall Mother finds palace garden and takes three roses The Basilisk demands for her daughter in exchange for the roses Mother returns home and tells Mary what happened Mary goes to the castle Mary nurses the Basilisk for three hours a day The Basilisk demands Mary to cut his head off on the third day The Basilisk turns into a beautiful youth