What is a theme in a work of literature?

• A. A central insight about human nature expressed in the text.
• B. The story's main plot event.
• C. The author’s point of view.
• D. The setting time and place.

Answer: (A)

Theme is the central insight about human nature expressed in the text. It’s the idea about life or people that the work invites you to recognize, often hinted rather than stated outright. It goes beyond what happens (the plot), who is telling the story (the point of view), or where and when the story takes place (the setting). So while plot events, the narrator’s perspective, and the time-and-place of the story are important, they’re tools the author uses to convey that larger, universal message about life or humanity.