What is the Difference Between Subject and Theme?

The difference between subject and theme lies in the level of abstraction and their relationship to the content of a piece of writing. Here are the key distinctions:

• Subject: The subject is the surface-level topic or focus of a piece of writing. It deals with the characters, setting, and general plot of a literary work. For example, the subject of Uncle Tom's Cabin is slavery.
• Theme: The theme is the underlying idea, message, or central point of a piece of writing. It addresses the author's opinion or statement on the subject and is often more abstract than the subject. The theme of Uncle Tom's Cabin is "Slavery is wrong in all its forms".

In summary:

• The subject is the concrete, surface-level topic of a piece of writing.
• The theme is the abstract, underlying idea or message related to the subject.

Both subject and theme are important components of a piece of writing, as they work together to convey the author's message and create a comprehensive understanding of the work.

Comparative Table: Subject vs Theme

The difference between subject and theme can be understood through the following table:

In summary, the subject is the main topic or focus of a work, while the theme is the underlying message or point of view the author is trying to convey through that work. The subject is usually more concrete and directly stated, whereas the theme is often more abstract and hidden, requiring the reader to understand it as it is not directly stated.