Defining the Term "Theme"

English 101 Final Exam
Define the term “theme” as it applied to literature. Choose two works of literature that explore a similar universal theme and compare and contrast the works’ treatment of that theme.
A literal "theme" has the definition of something being the main idea that the author narrows down while writing or exploring a novel. From "The Story of an Hour," self-discovery and personal identity gets expressed through the marriage of Louise by Kate Chopin. The grief that befell Louise was too much because her husband died and she cried uncontrollably, however, a sense of freedom starts to come in and takes over the emotions. It was a frightening insight at first, but later on became clear that the reality could be not further from the truth as she whispered, "Free, free, free!" Kate Chopin executed the theme of self-discovery and personal identity excellently.
The theme in Margaret Atwood’s "Death by Landscape", revolves around Lois and how she still lived in the past despite the time difference of the incidence where Lucy vanished. Lois got so many thoughts on what happened to Lucy because after she went missing and because she was her friend, it was a big blow considering the inability to get news of her whereabouts. Lois therefore has no interest in life becaus...