What is the theme of a story?

• A. The lesson or message
• B. The setting and time
• C. The list of events
• D. The author’s name

Answer: (A)

Theme is the message or lesson about life that a story conveys. It’s the takeaway you get about human nature or how the world works, not just the events that happen or where and when they happen. That’s why the best answer is describing the theme as the lesson or message. The setting and time tell you where and when, not the deeper meaning. The list of events is the plot—the sequence of actions—rather than the broader idea the story communicates. The author’s name doesn’t determine the story’s meaning either. So the theme focuses on the underlying idea the story is sharing.