Glossary: Theme, Ideas, Meaning & Interpretation
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Theme | The central idea or underlying meaning a work explores. |
| Thesis | The primary argument, underlying claim, or proposition a text advances, explicitly or implicitly. |
| Subtext | Meaning that lies beneath the surface narrative. |
| Allegory | A narrative where characters and events represent abstract ideas or symbolize broader concepts. |
| Parable | A short allegorical story conveying a moral lesson. |
| Didactic Literature | Writing that is intended to teach or instruct. |
| Worldview | The implicit philosophy of life or set of assumptions about reality presented by a work. |
| Moral | An explicit or implicit lesson, usually of an ethical nature, conveyed by a work. |
| Ideology | A system of beliefs reflected or critiqued by a work. |
| Ambiguity | Intentional openness to multiple interpretations. |
| Interpretation | The act of deriving meaning through attentive reading. |