Theme
The main idea of a literary work, the general truth about life or mankind which it expresses, is called the theme. It is not the plot. A plot is a pattern of events, the "what happens" in a narrative. The theme is the underlying meaning, what the literary work is about. The plot of a story might concern a young soldier during his first battle. The events of the plot might include the man's thoughts before the battle, the battle itself, and the outcome of the battle. The theme, however, might be the idea that war is futile, that fighting solves nothing. This theme might not be stated anywhere in the story, but merely suggested throught the events of the plot and the attitudes of the characters.
Not every literary work has a theme. Some are written purely to entertain the reader. A mystery story, for example, written primarily to keep the reader in suspense, may not have a theme.
Theme: the underlying meaning of a literary work, a general truth about life or mankind. A theme may be stated or implied. Note every literary work contains a theme.
“Theme.” Counterpoint in Literature. Robert C. Pooley, ed. Sacramento: CA Department of Education, 1969, p. 566. Print.
The main idea of a literary work, the general truth about life or mankind which it expresses, is called the theme. It is not the plot. A plot is a pattern of events, the "what happens" in a narrative. The theme is the underlying meaning, what the literary work is about. The plot of a story might concern a young soldier during his first battle. The events of the plot might include the man's thoughts before the battle, the battle itself, and the outcome of the battle. The theme, however, might be the idea that war is futile, that fighting solves nothing. This theme might not be stated anywhere in the story, but merely suggested throught the events of the plot and the attitudes of the characters.
Not every literary work has a theme. Some are written purely to entertain the reader. A mystery story, for example, written primarily to keep the reader in suspense, may not have a theme.
Theme: the underlying meaning of a literary work, a general truth about life or mankind. A theme may be stated or implied. Note every literary work contains a theme.
“Theme.” Counterpoint in Literature. Robert C. Pooley, ed. Sacramento: CA Department of Education, 1969, p. 566. Print.