Theme or Central Idea in Fiction
Works of fiction all have a theme. When we understand the theme, we have a
clear understanding of a fiction story.
What is theme? Theme is the life lesson an author of fiction wants the reader to
learn. Sometimes it is called the moral of the story. It is a message or idea that
the author thinks is very important.
Theme is a full sentence or phrase that gives the reader the important life lesson
in the story. The message in the theme usually describes an opinion about life,
human nature, or elements of society.
Here are some common themes you will find in fiction stories:
 Memories of friendship can last forever. (Bridge to Terabithia)
 Unity is power. (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe)
 Sometimes we have to accept change even if we don’t want to. (Julie of the
Wolves)
How do we locate theme in a story? Sometimes the theme is obvious and
jumps right out at us. However, themes are usually not that obvious. To figure
out the theme, or lesson of the story, think about the conflict the protagonist
(main character) faces in the story. Once you figure out the conflict, you can see
how the protagonist reacts to the conflict through the events in the story. By the
end of the story, most protagonists learn something very important about life as
they solve their conflict. The life lesson the protagonist learns in the story is the
lesson the reader is supposed to learn as well.
That is how you find the theme in a fiction story!
How is theme different from topic? Theme is a full sentence or phrase that
reveals the life lesson the protagonist in a fiction story learned by working
through the conflict. The topic is a word or two that reveals the subject of the
story, or what the story will be about. The topic captures the meaning of the
entire story. For example: friendship, survival, strength, growing up