Difference Between Plot and Theme

Both plot and theme are an important part of the story, but both the term plays a very much different role from each other.

Plot vs Theme

The difference between plot and theme is that plot is the main events or the sequence which happens in the story. On the other hand, the theme is the author’s message from his writing.

The word plot has been taken from old English. The plot is referred to as the link which connects the sequences so that the story can progress.

It is to believe that the action which appears in the story or anything that happens with the character of the story, what action they will do, where they can go, or when they will make an appearance in the story are all parts of a plot.

The word theme has been derived from the Latin language. It is a central message that the author wants to convey through the piece of writing. Every piece of writing that does not matter how artificial it will have a theme.

It is mainly told in a one-word or one sentence. The theme is generally what the reader or audience understands.

Comparison Table

Parameter of Comparison	Plot	Theme
Meaning	The plot is defined as the whole story, which happens from beginning to end.	The theme is defined as the motif or the main idea of the story.
Understanding	Plots are very much difficult to understand sometimes.	The theme is simple to understand.
Origin	Plots have originated before the 12th century.	The theme has originated from 1200-1300.
Length	The plot of the story is mainly lengthy.	The theme can be described in a one-word or one sentence.
Used	There are many plots in a story.	There is only a single theme in a story.

What is the Plot?

The plot is referred to as the sequence of the incident and the circumstance which make up the story. The incident in the storyline is linked to each other as the theory is cause and effect.

In general, one incident is the reason for another incident. It is referred to as the most important literary element in the storyline. The plot has five main elements, just like rising action, falling action, resolution, exposition, and climax.

Rising action: it is a section that begins with the quarrel. It contains the makeup of the incident with a quarrel’s introduction till the end of the story.

Falling action: falling action has the incident which will lead to climax. The disagreement begins to solve in this section.

1. Resolution: Resolution is a part in which the story ends. The disagreement is resolved, and the story ends with a tragic ending or happy ending. It is also called resolution.
2. Exposition: in this writing section, the main lead and another main character of the story and setting have been introduced.
3. Climax: it is a part where the story turns. The quarrel in the story is at its peak. The emotion and interest are created in this part of the plot.

What is the Theme?

The word theme has been derived from the Latin language. It also refers to the central message of the story that the author wants to convey through a piece of writing. The theme is an important part of any type of writing, whether it is friction or nonfiction.

The friction story theme is not cleared as the writer does not want to show the theme; they only give a clue about the hint. It depends upon the readers to understand the theme in a story that the writer wants to convey.

It is also believed that in a literary theory, the theme has been divided into two types: one is the thematic concept, and another one is a thematic statement.

The thematic statement is the reference as a theme that the writer wants to convey through his or her writing, whereas the thematic concept is referred to as the theme that the reader wants to understand through the story.

It also means that the theme reflects the reader’s personal view and the writer since understanding is different.

It is also believed that there can be more than one theme in a piece of writing. In general, books mainly have one central theme that is found as the main idea in the book.

It is also divided into two parts like major theme and minor theme, depending upon the importance. It is also referred to as universal as it can be taken out from the text and applied to other text.  

Main Differences Between Plot and Theme

1. Both the term plot and theme are an important part of the author’s writing.
2. The plot is to explain the main incident in the story. On the other hand, the theme delivers the author’s message in the story.
3. The plot of the story is mainly lengthy. On the other hand, the theme can be described in a one-word or one sentence.
4. The plot is the sequences or the storyline of the story, which tells what will happen in the story from start to end. On the other hand, themes are the motif or control of the idea of the story.
5. The plot is more structured in the story, whereas the theme does not have more structure.
6. The story can have many plots in it. On the other hand, there is only a single theme in a story.
7. Plots are very much difficult to understand sometimes, in contrast, they are simple to understand.

References

1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00393279950136634
2. http://search.proquest.com/openview/4d00f611e322dbb25117a7af64294844/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=1816590