theme

Question 1

theme

Answer 1

general idea or insight conveyed by the work in its entirety → essential meaning(s)

in most literature: all elements work together to imply an unstated theme that usually requires re-reading to decipher; everyone sees it slightly different

Question 2

theme(s): singular or plural?

Answer 2

• might be used singular (used to refer to the central or
  main idea of the book) or plural (used to refer to any
  idea a work conveys)
  
  • themes and subthemes
• theme is a general idea rather than one that describes
  the characters, plot or settings unique to one story

Question 3

theme vs moral

Answer 3

• in some cases: theme may take form of a moral (a rule
  of conduct or maxim for living)
• most themes: general observations and insights about
  how humans actually do behave/how something is
  instead of how people should behave/how life should
  ideally be

Question 4

tips

Answer 4

• title -> can suggest a central topic or a clue to theme
• recurring phrases and words
• statements that the characters or narrator make about
  a general concept, issue or topic
• if character changes over course of story: articulate
  the truth or insight they seem to discover
• conflict depicted in the work + how it’s resolved