What is the main purpose of a literary theme?

The main purpose of a literary theme is to convey a central message or idea. A theme represents the underlying meaning or the deeper significance of a story, often reflecting universal truths or insights into the human experience. It acts as a guiding principle that brings coherence to the various elements of the narrative, including plot, character, and setting. By focusing on themes, readers can explore and understand complex issues and emotions that the author seeks to address, leading to a more profound engagement with the text.

Other aspects such as entertainment, character development, and setting contribute to the story but do not serve as the main purpose of a theme. While entertainment can engage an audience, and character development and setting help to build a narrative, the theme is fundamentally about the larger message or insight that transcends just the storyline.