Which term refers to the central idea or message of a literary work?

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Theme is the central idea or message of a literary work. It goes beyond the plot events and the characters themselves, expressing a statement about life, human nature, or society that the author communicates through the story. The setting, plot, and characters are the tools that help develop and reveal that idea: the setting provides the backdrop, the plot shows how conflicts and events unfold, and the characters’ actions and growth illustrate different values and consequences. When you look for the theme, notice what the author suggests about life as the piece concludes, the universal insight it offers, or the big idea that recurs throughout the work, whether it’s stated outright or implied through motifs and outcomes.