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When you discuss a theme in a text, remember to look beyond the simple themes of love, hate, family, relationships, power, nature and society by exploring the clash of opposites at the heart of those ideas. For example:

• conflict - us versus them, friends versus foes, the state versus the citizen
• family - feelings of safety versus desire for independence
• love - desire for something forbidden versus attainable love
• power - the individual versus the state, man versus nature
• place - an idea of paradise versus reality, the idea of home versus exile
• nature - the separation of man from nature, natural beauty versus violence

An interesting theme involves a clash of opposites. Love as a theme is more interesting when there is conflict. If two people meet, fall in love and there are no problems, then it is not a very interesting story. Without something trying to stop love, the story has nowhere to go.

You can give structure and energy to an analysis essay by discussing the opposite sides of a theme.