To Theme or Not To Theme

I read something recently that proposed that fiction writers tend to settle on a theme of some type that inspires their writing over the course of their entire career, and sometimes, they are not even conscious that they have done so.  In other words, they sit down with a story idea, plot the entire novel, write it, then move on to the next one and do the same thing, all without realizing their work is orbiting a central theme as certainly as Earth is orbiting the Sun.

One example given was Ernest Hemingway's obsession with Death.  I have to admit that everything of his that I've read (and I haven't read all of it) has featured death as a noticeable theme.  He also committed suicide, which doesn't do anything to dispel the notion that death was on his mind quite a bit, consciously or not.

I tried coming up with examples of this claim from some of my favorite writers, and it actually wasn't too hard to do.  Raymond Chandler's main detective, Philip Marlowe, was constantly defending those who were walked on by the mean and callous who usually were rich, amoral, and not averse to violence.  Robert Crais' primary characters, Elvis Cole and Joe Pike, do whatever is necessary to defend those who are incapable of defending themselves. 

So what about me?  Although I've only had one novel published, I've actually written three.  All three feature Max Chandler, and when I look back on what happens to him across all three books there is a central theme that emerges.  White collar criminals abuse their power and/or manipulate existing social and business structures for gain, regardless of the cost to others of doing so.  And Max stops them, driven primarily by the desire to prevent harm to the innocent victims.  It isn't what Max or any of the other characters in the book do, it's why they do it that determines character and right versus wrong.

I'm okay with that theme.  I find that it picked me, rather than the other way around.  Even as I plot my next book – actually, even as I notice which patterns of behavior around me or which news stories capture my interest – I can see that theme runs through all of them.

So what about you?  Even if you're not a writer, what themes do you find yourself drawn to in the fiction you choose to read?  I think the answer is revealing of some of what makes you tick.  Which is what those of us who write are trying to appeal to in the first place.

As one of my close friends likes to say, have a 5-star day!  Thanks for reading. -Jon