Themes and Morals, What's the Difference? 7/8/2012 6:16:36 AM
My most popular blog was about the difference between theme and moral. Have you ever wondered about that? Well, a moral is something that’s clearly stated in the story. For example, in the Tortoise and the Hare the author tells you “Slow and steady wins the race.” But the theme is something the author wants you to decide for yourself, so it’s a matter of opinion.
When I wrote my first story, Tails of Sweetbrier, the theme of the story was that you should never abandon your dreams. Nothing is impossible if you persevere. How do I know that? I was the little girl in the story who became a champion equestrian, even though doctors told my parents I would never walk, due to cerebral palsy. My dad refused to accept that so he decided to teach me to ride horses. The idea of never giving up is repeated several times throughout Tails of Sweetbrier, because that’s the theme I wanted to emphasize. You’ll find that the theme will be repeated in children’s stories, but you are always free to decide whether or not you agree with the author. Every time I fell off my pony, there was an option: Do I give up? Do I try again? There is also a tragic event in the story where my parents had to decide if they would rebuild.
I close Tails of Sweetbrier with this sentiment:”You have the power to make your dreams come true so reach for them and don’t accept anything less.” It’s a wise philosophy, I believe. I hope you always follow it.
