Question

which characteristic is true of a theme? it is not stated by the author outright. it is not linked to symbols. it is explained by the author. it is a summary of the plot.

Explanation:

To determine the correct characteristic of a theme, we analyze each option:

• "It is not stated by the author outright": A theme is a central idea that is often implied rather than directly stated by the author. This aligns with the definition of a theme.
• "It is not linked to symbols": Themes can be linked to symbols as symbols often help convey the theme, so this is incorrect.
• "It is explained by the author": Themes are typically inferred by readers, not directly explained by the author, so this is incorrect.
• "It is a summary of the plot": A theme is not a plot summary; it's the underlying message or idea, so this is incorrect.

Answer:

It is not stated by the author outright.