The theme of a story is the central idea, underlying message, or big concept that the author wants to convey to the reader through the narrative. It is not just the plot or summary, but a deeper message about life, human nature, society, or universal experiences that the story explores

. Themes often address fundamental questions or ideas such as love, justice, courage, survival, identity, or coming of age. They provide meaning to the story and connect the reader to the author's perspective or worldview

. A story can have multiple themes, including a main theme that runs throughout the entire work and minor themes that appear in specific parts

. In essence, the theme is what the story means or what it says about its subject, often revealed through characters' actions, conflicts, and resolutions. It serves as the backbone of the story, tying together its elements and giving it depth and significance beyond just the events that happen

. For example, a theme might be "resilience and compassion prevail even in the darkest of times" or "you don't have to be related to someone for them to be your family," illustrating universal truths or moral insights the story communicates

. In summary, the theme of a story is the underlying message or big idea that the author wants readers to understand and reflect on through the narrative