Discursive theme
A discursive theme, defined in richards-2016 par.5, is a kind of film theme. Key characteristics:
- As long as, or longer than, grammatical themes
- Material is developed instead of repeated
- Does not have a standard “beginning and ending” division, unlike grammatical themes
Discursive themes differ from motto themes by not focusing on a repeating pattern, like an ostinato.
In the end, discursive themes feel like there is no signal of it ending and that it could go on indefinitely.