The Good Versus Evil theme involves a person of good moral character fighting against a malicious force, a theme that the University of Alabama at Birmingham cites as being universal throughout the ages of literature. The hero is usually at a disadvantage, as the evil entity often has great power and influence. The evil force can come in many forms, such as a vicious tyrant, a mass of invading aliens, a corrupt corporation or a schoolyard bully. Readers want to see good triumph over evil, and they cheer for the hero to find the cracks in the enemy's armor to gain the upper hand. Good need not always defeat evil, but the struggle to do so keeps readers turning the pages. Author J.K. Rowling employs the Good Versus Evil theme in her immensely popular "Harry Potter" book series.
The Coming of Age theme can be seen in stories that reflect a young person's newfound sense of independence and responsibility when he grows from a child into an adult. As Daniel R. Snyder notes, this transition often comes with a loss of innocence. This could involve a teenage boy being forced to face the consequences of his actions in a way that he had never experienced as a child, or a young girl learning a harsh lesson that fairness and equality are not as prevalent in the world as she had once believed. The Coming of Age theme is employed in J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" and Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird."
Most people feel joy when they fall in love, but that joy can lead to distress when that love cannot lead to a "happily ever after" scenario. The Struggles in Love theme can include stories of characters who fall in love but face their parents' disapproval, couples who live in different worlds who face obstacles reaching each other, or one person who falls in love with another who does not share that sense of affection. William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight" book series, and Ellen Wittlinger's "Hard Love" all reflect the Struggles in Love theme.
Stories that utilize the Revenge theme present characters who have had something taken from them and seek to avenge the entities that they feel have caused them pain or dishonor. The strategy the protagonist employs to enact this desired revenge often drives the plot. The Revenge theme is displayed in such stories as Charles Portis' "True Grit," Stephen King's "Carrie" and William Shakespeare's "Hamlet."