theme

T. Barter, L. Nguyen, L. Navarro, A. Norimatsu, A. Varma - Period 5

Theme

The central idea or message of a work, the insight it offers into life. Usually, theme is unstated in fictional works, but in nonfiction, the theme may be directly stated, especially in expository or argumentative writing.

1. a subject of discourse, discussion, meditation, or composition; topic: The need for world peace was the theme of the meeting.

2. a unifying or dominant idea, motif, etc., as in a work of art.

Taken from: www.Dictionary.com

Examples:

//To Kill a Mocking Bird: importance of education, loss of innocence, role of women, prejudice, inquality in social class structure, and etc.//

//The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn:// Racism and Slavery, hypocrisy of civilized society, and moral education.

//Moby Dick:// Revenge, could be good, but also could be bad.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theme_(literature)