This document discusses the definition and identification of themes in stories. It states that a theme is the central idea or message about life that is communicated by a story, though it is not directly stated and must be inferred. Themes apply to the real world and are broader than just the story. The document provides examples of identifying themes and creating thematic statements that convey insights about life rather than just being topics. It emphasizes that themes are about big ideas like courage, friendship, and human nature.