What is a subject in literature?
In literature, the subject can refer to the main theme or topic that a work of
literature explores. It is the overarching idea or concept that the author intends
to convey through their writing. The subject can be broad or specific, but it
must be a unifying idea that connects the various elements of the work.
The subject is typically distinguishable from the plot, which refers to the
sequence of events that occur in the work. While the plot is a chronological
account of what happens in the story, the subject is a deeper meaning that
emerges from these events.
For example, in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, the subject might be
the corrosive effects of wealth and privilege on human relationships. Though
the novel follows the story of Jay Gatsby and his attempts to win back his
former lover Daisy, the overarching subject of the work is the critique of the
American Dream and the illusions that people construct around their own
desires.
While identifying the subject of a work of literature is not always a
straightforward process, it can help readers to understand the deeper
meaning and significance of the work.
References:
- DiYanni, R. (2007). Literature: Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama (6th Ed.). McGraw-Hill.
- Hirsch, E. D. (1967). Validity in interpretation. Yale University Press.