Here's a breakdown:
* Theme: The central idea or message that the story conveys. It's the underlying meaning, the takeaway the author wants the reader to ponder. It can be about love, loss, hope, redemption, the human condition, or any other universal concept.
* Plot: The sequence of events in the story, which unfolds to reveal the theme.
* Characters: The people (or sometimes animals or objects) that drive the plot and represent the theme.
* Setting: The time and place where the story takes place, which can contribute to the overall theme.
So, while the plot is the sequence of events, the theme is the deeper meaning behind those events.