The most common contemporary understanding of theme is an idea or point that is central to a story, which can often be summed in a single word (e.g. love, death, betrayal). Typical examples of themes of this type are conflict between the individual and society; coming of age; humans in conflict with technology; nostalgia; and the dangers of unchecked ambition. A theme may be exemplified by the actions, utterances, or thoughts of a character in a novel. An example of this would be the thematic idea of loneliness in John Steinbeck 's Of Mice and Men, wherein many of the characters seem to be lonely. It may differ from the thesis -- the text 's or author 's implied worldview.
what is the main theme of a story
idea or point that is central to a story, which can often be summed in a single word