The main idea of a story, also known as the
theme or
central idea, is the underlying message or meaning the author is trying to convey to the reader. It's the overarching point the story makes about life, human nature, society, or a particular issue. It's not just what happens in the plot (the sequence of events), but *what the plot reveals about something bigger*.
Think of it as the core takeaway; what the reader should understand or reflect upon after finishing the story. A story can have multiple themes, but usually, one is dominant.