Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Universal Themes
Stories have meanings. They are not just a series of events. They communicate something
to us that is larger than the story itself. The meaning or dominant idea of the story is called
the
theme
.
Themes are often based on human needs. These needs fall into three categories:
1. Physical needs
2. Mental needs
3. Spiritual needs
Within these three categories we fi nd the basic needs of:
Food
Shelter
Security
Acceptance
Stimulus
Love
Order
This limited number of needs forms nearly all of the themes of our stories. In feature fi lms,
there is usually one main theme that drives the movie. There are multiple subthemes that
drive scenes and secondary character relationships.
To understand this better, we are going to look at seven major animated feature fi lms from
different studios and parts of the world:
Iron Giant
(Warner),
Mulan
(Disney),
Shrek
(Dream-
Works),
Ice Age
(Blue Sky),
The Triplets of Belleville
(Chomet),
The Incredibles
(Pixar), and
Howl's Moving Castle
(Miyazaki).
Sometimes, movies are generous enough to actually tell you the main theme if you are listening.
In
Iron
Giant
, the main theme of the movie is “You are what you choose to be.” This is what
Dean, the scrap-metal artist, tells Hogarth Hughes as he rants about his classmates. Hogarth
then teaches it to the Giant who repeats it to himself. At the climax of the fi lm, the Giant has
transformed into a very large, defensive weapon when Hogarth reminds him that he doesn't
have to be a weapon, “You are what you choose to be.” The giant chooses to be a hero—like
Superman. This theme is based on the need for meaning, security, and acceptance.
At the end of the movie
Mulan
, the Chinese Emperor admonishes Mulan: “I have heard a
great deal about you, Fa Mulan. You stole your father's armor, ran away from home,
impersonated a soldier, deceived your commanding offi cer, dishonored the Chinese army,
destroyed
my
palace!
.
..and you have saved us all.” As Mulan heads for home, the
