Question

In literature, what is a subject?

Answer 1

The answer is C: a topic of the particular work.

The subject in any literature text is the main topic that the text elaborates throughout its pages. It can be an abstract idea or a concept, like love or justice, and it works as the foundation for the events that mold the characters in the story. It should not be confused with the theme of a story, this latter one is based on the subject, but it reflects the author´s conception or interpretation of the subject. For example, if “love” is the subject of a novel, “love conquers all” would be a possible theme for that novel.

Answer 2

In literature, a subject is a topic of the particular work. The subject is the main topic which is elaborated through the pages of a literary work.  

EXPLANATION:  

People often get confused when it comes to differentiating between a topic and a theme in a literary work. These two terms are alike but actually, they are different. While a subject is a topic of the particular work, a theme is an idea or opinion which is expressed through the subject. A subject can be an abstract concept or idea which serves as the foundation of a literary work. It is the basis of events which molds the characters in the story. Thus, a theme is in the subject because it reflects the author’s understanding or interpretation of the chosen subject.  

Here is an example. A writer chooses “war” as the topic of his novel or novella. Then he chooses “war is a curse for citizens in an area” as the theme. “War”, as a subject, is a broad idea of his literary work. It gives a picture of what is it going to be discussed or told in a novel or novella. The theme “war is a curse for citizens in an area” is the more specific discussion about the novel or novella. The theme gives a specific topic about a literary work.  

LEARN MORE:  

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, we recommend you to also take a look at the following questions:

1. Which statement about novels is correct? brainly.com/question/1251651  

2. Which statement about poetry is accurate brainly.com/question/1355813  

KEYWORDS: subject in literature, subject, literature, literary work

Subject: English

Class: 10-12

Sub-chapter: Subject in literature