THEME AND SYMBOLISM THESAURUS

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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.
THEMATIC STATEMENTS THAT MAY APPLY TO YOUR STORY:
The means do not always justify the end.
We all serve someone.
You only find out how much you care about something when you're forced to give it up.
Anything worth having comes at a price.
The greater the success, the greater the sacrifice.
You can have anything if you're willing to sacrifice to get it. 
Everyone has to make sacrifices for the good of the collective.

LIES (ANTI-THEMATIC STATEMENTS) YOUR CHARACTER MIGHT BELIEVE:
I should give up everything for my children/partner/family/etc.
If I sacrifice enough, I can ____ (save my marriage, right a wrong, achieve my dream, etc.).
The end result is worth any sacrifice.
Everyone else's needs should come before mine.
For my sacrifice to matter, it has to be acknowledged.
I shouldn't have to give up anything to get what I want.

CHARACTER TRAITS TO SUPPORT OR CHALLENGE THE THEME:
ANTISOCIAL, CHILDISH, COWARDLY, DISLOYAL, LAZY, RESENTFUL, SPOILED, COURAGEOUS, FOCUSED, HONORABLE, HUMBLE, IDEALISTIC, RESPONSIBLE, UNSELFISH

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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