THEME AND SYMBOLISM THESAURUS

LOSS



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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 DEATH, loss is connected to emotions and can relate to the loss of many things, not just a physical life.

THEMATIC STATEMENTS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOUR STORY:
Though grieving will end, you never truly get over the loss of a loved one.
The grief process is triggered by many kinds of loss.
The more attached you are to something, the harder it is when you lose it.
Loss teaches us what something or someone was worth to us.
Anything is possible when you realize you have nothing to lose.
It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
The process of grieving a loss is deeply personal.

LIES (ANTI-THEMATIC STATEMENTS) YOUR CHARACTER MIGHT BELIEVE:
It's better not to love anyone so I'll never lose them.
The more I have, the more I have to lose.
If I bury my feelings about this loss, I'll be fine.
This loss is no big deal.
I'll never get over this.
Moving on means letting go and forgetting.
I should be over it by now.

CHARACTER TRAITS TO SUPPORT OR CHALLENGE THE THEME:

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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