Various forms of love are demonstrated in If Beale Street Could Talk, so there are many ways in which you could approach thematic analysis. Just to clarify, to simply propose love as a theme is general and would not allow for effective argumentation. Rather, keep specificity in mind. You could discuss how one or more relationships demonstrate the novel’s bigger picture, develop certain characters, or convey certain life lessons. Some questions to generate analysis are listed below.
The nature of parental love represented by Sharon and Joseph Rivers for Tish: How do Sharon and Joseph treat Tish when they learn she is pregnant? How is their acceptance of her situation as an unmarried pregnant woman at odds with societal ideals of the 1970s?
The romantic love between Tish and Fonny: How does this dynamic change throughout the novel? What are the effects of Fonny’s false rape accusations on their relationship? How does this conflict develop their characters?
Love as a theme can be expanded upon in relation to the novel’s backdrop of white racism. How does prejudice put pressure on the relationships in the novel? What about black intimacy, specifically, does Baldwin convey through the novel’s Harlem setting?
Who better to learn about the novel's theme of love from than Baldwin himself? For instance, The Atlantic details Baldwin's perspectives on love and racism in a recent article attached below. Referring to outside sources, given they are authoritative, is always a great idea to gain perspective. Hope this helps!
https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/01/james-baldwin-idea-of-love-fire-next-time-if-beale-street-could-talk/579829/
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