Theme vs. Genre
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 2, 2023
The underlying message or lesson of a story. A category of artistic composition, marked by distinctive style, form, or content.
Key Differences
Theme pertains to the central idea or message conveyed through a story or piece of writing. On the contrary, genre refers to the categorization of a work based on stylistic and thematic criteria, encapsulating various mediums like literature, music, or film.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Identifying a theme might involve digging into the deeper meanings, symbols, or moral messages within a narrative. In contrast, identifying a genre might involve recognizing specific tropes, styles, or conventions that align with established categories.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Themes are often universal, addressing broad and inherent aspects of human experience, emotion, or condition. Genres, however, are specific, providing particular parameters or guidelines which the creators usually adhere to for coherence and categorical familiarity.
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Oct 02, 2023
Themes can traverse across various genres, meaning a similar theme might be found in works of different genres. However, genres are relatively fixed, each presenting a specific set of expectations, rules, and stylistic elements that typify them.
Samantha Walker
Oct 02, 2023
A theme offers insights or a particular viewpoint from which the narrative is penned. Contrarily, genre establishes a framework or a set of conventions under which the narrative operates, steering its structural and stylistic choices.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Comparison Chart
Definition
Central idea or message in a piece.
Category based on style, form, or content.
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Oct 02, 2023
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Nature
Can be universal and found across different genres.
Specific and adheres to particular conventions.
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Identification
Requires discerning underlying meanings or morals.
Identified through specific tropes and styles.
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Oct 02, 2023
Usage in Creation
Creators embed themes to offer depth or insight.
Creators choose genres to set structural rules.
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Oct 02, 2023
Variation
A theme can be expressed in varied ways across various works.
A genre usually maintains its defining attributes.
Samantha Walker
Oct 02, 2023
Theme and Genre Definitions
Theme
A theme is an underlying message or meaning in a story.
The theme of love and sacrifice permeates “Romeo and Juliet.”
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Genre
Genre is a category of artistic creation sharing a common style or subject matter.
Horror is a genre designed to frighten or disturb its audience.
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Oct 02, 2023
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Theme
Theme can refer to a subject of discourse or discussion.
The theme of the conference revolves around renewable energy solutions.
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Oct 02, 2023
Genre
In painting, genre refers to works depicting scenes from everyday life.
During the 17th century, Dutch genre painting was remarkably popular among the middle class.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023
Theme
In computing, a theme refers to a preset package containing graphical appearance details.
She customized her blog using a colorful theme.
Samantha Walker
Oct 02, 2023
Genre
In literature, a genre pertains to a category characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.
Mystery is a genre involving suspenseful situations and solving crimes.
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Oct 02, 2023
Theme
In an exhibition, a theme is a particular subject or idea around which it is organized.
The museum’s new exhibit has a theme centered on ancient civilizations.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023
Genre
In film, genre refers to a categorization based on similarities in the narrative elements.
Science fiction is a genre that deals with futuristic and speculative concepts.
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Oct 02, 2023
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Genre
In music, genre refers to a musical category defined by a particular style, form, and content.
Jazz is a genre known for improvisation and expressive melodies.
Samantha Walker
Oct 02, 2023
Genre
A category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, marked by a distinctive style, form, or content
"his six String Quartets ... the most important works in the genre since Beethoven's" (Time).
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
An implicit or recurrent idea; a motif
A party with a tropical island theme.
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Oct 11, 2022
Genre
A type or class
"Emaciated famine victims ... on television focused a new genre of attention on the continent" (Helen Kitchen).
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
(Music) A recurring melodic element in a composition, especially a melody forming the basis of a set of variations.
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Oct 11, 2022
Genre
A kind; a stylistic category or sort, especially of literature or other artworks.
The still life has been a popular genre in painting since the 17th century.
This film is a cross-genre piece, dark and funny at the same time.
The computer game Half-Life redefined the first-person shooter genre.
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Oct 11, 2022
Genre
Kind; genus; class; form; style, esp. in literature.
French drama was lisping or still inarticulate; the great French genre of the fabliau was hardly born.
A particular demand . . . that we shall pay special attention to the matter of genres - that is, to the different forms or categories of literature.
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Oct 11, 2022
Genre
A style of painting, sculpture, or other imitative art, which illustrates everyday life and manners.
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
A concept with multiple instantiations.
Variations on the theme of entrepreneurial resourcefulness
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
Any of various colors, or color palettes, in which a design is offered; (GUI) any of various skins for an app, affecting the visuals and perhaps other elements such as sound effects.
Switch to a dark theme to conserve battery power
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Oct 11, 2022
Genre
A class of art (or artistic endeavor) having a characteristic form or technique
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
(music) The main melody of a piece of music, especially one that is the source of variations.
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
A song, or a snippet of a song, that identifies a film, a TV program, a character, etc. by playing at the appropriate time.
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
(linguistics) Theta role in generative grammar and government and binding theory.
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Theme
(linguistics) Topic, what is generally being talked about, as opposed to rheme.
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
(transitive) To give a theme to.
We themed the birthday party around superheroes.
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
To apply a theme to; to change the visual appearance and/or layout of (software).
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
A subject or topic on which a person writes or speaks; a proposition for discussion or argument; a text.
My theme is alway one and ever was.
And when a soldier was the theme, my nameWas not far off.
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
Discourse on a certain subject.
Then ran repentance and rehearsed his theme.
It was the subject of my theme.
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
A noun or verb, not modified by inflections; also, that part of a noun or verb which remains unchanged (except by euphonic variations) in declension or conjugation; stem.
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
The subject matter of a conversation or discussion;
He didn't want to discuss that subject
It was a very sensitive topic
His letters were always on the theme of love
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
A unifying idea that is a recurrent element in a literary or artistic work;
It was the usual `boy gets girl' theme
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
(music) melodic subject of a musical composition;
The theme is announced in the first measures
The accompanist picked up the idea and elaborated it
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
An essay (especially one written as an assignment);
He got an A on his composition
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Theme
(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed;
Thematic vowels are part of the stem
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
Provide with a particular theme or motive;
The restaurant often themes its menus
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Oct 11, 2022
Theme
In music, a theme is a repeated melodic or harmonic idea.
The theme of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 is immediately recognizable.
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Oct 02, 2023
FAQs
How is theme different from a subject?
A subject is a topic being discussed, while a theme is an underlying message about that topic.
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Oct 02, 2023
Can a piece of writing belong to multiple genres?
Yes, a work can blend elements of different genres, known as a hybrid or cross-genre.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
How many basic literary genres are there?
Traditionally, literature is divided into poetry, prose, and drama, but there are numerous sub-genres.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023
What is a theme in literature?
A theme is a central idea, message, or insight explored in a work of literature.
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Oct 02, 2023
What is a genre in literature?
Genre categorizes literary work based on stylistic, thematic, and content similarities.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Can genres change or evolve over time?
Absolutely, genres can evolve and new sub-genres can emerge.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Is theme equivalent to a moral?
Not necessarily, while a moral is a lesson learned, a theme is an underlying message or insight.
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Oct 02, 2023
Can a story have more than one theme?
Yes, a story can explore multiple themes simultaneously.
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Oct 02, 2023
What’s an example of a theme?
A common theme is ‘the struggle between good and evil.’
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Oct 02, 2023
What purpose does genre serve for readers?
Genre provides readers with expectations and a framework for understanding a work.
Janet White
Oct 02, 2023
Can a theme be stated explicitly?
Themes can be explicit, but they are often implied, requiring interpretation.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Are themes universally applicable?
Yes, themes often explore universal concepts and emotions that can be understood widely.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Is identifying genre always straightforward?
Not always. Some works blur the lines between genres and are subject to interpretation.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Does every story have a theme?
Most stories have at least one theme, though it may not always be overtly present.
Janet White
Oct 02, 2023
How is genre determined in literature?
Genre is often determined by thematic elements, stylistic approach, and content.
Samantha Walker
Oct 02, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
