Theme

The authors message.

A statement (a sentence) about life (what it means to be a human being).

Answers the question, “So what does this mean?”

Two kinds of themes:

• Directly stated-written right there or the message is so strong it is obvious
• Indirectly given-written with clues so the story suggests the message.  These must be inferred by the clues the author leaves the reader by looking at the title, key scenes, characterization, symbols, and plot events.

From The Reader’s Handbook