Question

In literature, what is a subject?

Answer 1

In literature, the subject is referred to as a topic which acts as a foundation for a literary work. Most of the time, this is confused with the definition of theme. The theme is the opinion expressed on the subject. So basically, both are entirely different. Hope this answers your question. 

Answer 2

Answer:

The subject in a work of literature is the universal topic of that work.

Explanation:

In works of literature, the subject can vary from one work to another. Subjects are based on the writers and their ideas on how or what they want to write. Most importantly, the subject of a literary work is the universal topic of that work, which is connected to the theme of the story. Themes and subjects are different elements of a work of literature.   For example, the subject of a work may be "The Apartheid" or the "Independence War" but it's theme can be "oppression, resistance, and movements".