Question

What is a story’s central or unifying message?

Plot
Tone
Genre
Theme

Answer 1

The central or unifying message of a story is referred to as the **theme**. The theme encompasses the underlying ideas, moral lessons, or insights about life and human nature that the author conveys through the narrative. While plot refers to the sequence of events, tone describes the author's attitude toward the subject matter, and genre classifies the type of story, the theme captures the deeper meaning and significance behind the story.