* Subject: The what of the story. It's the basic topic or idea the story is about. It's often a concrete thing like love, war, loss, or friendship.
* Theme: The meaning or message conveyed by the story. It's the abstract idea or insight about the subject that the author wants to explore and share with the reader. It's often expressed as a statement or idea about the human experience.
Here's a simple way to think about it:
* Subject: A story about a lost dog.
* Theme: The importance of loyalty, the pain of loss, or the joy of reunion.
Example:
* Subject: A story about a young woman struggling to find her place in the world.
* Theme: The challenges of identity and self-discovery, the importance of following your dreams, or the power of resilience.
Key points:
* Subject is concrete, theme is abstract: The subject is a tangible thing, while the theme is a more philosophical idea.
* Theme is implied, not explicitly stated: The theme is usually not stated directly in the story but is revealed through the events, characters, and symbols.
* Subject can be simple, theme can be complex: A story can have a simple subject but a very complex theme.
In short: The subject is the foundation of the story, while the theme is the heart and soul of the story. It's the message the author wants to leave with the reader.