Plot vs. Theme
Main DifferenceThe main difference between Plot and Theme is that the Plot is the order or arrangement of events and situations, whereas the basic message or impression carried through writing is Theme.
Difference Between Plot and Theme
Plot vs. Theme
The plot is the main message of a novel or a story, whereas the theme is the complete description of a novel.
Plot vs. Theme
The plot is what one would expect to emerge into a narrative; on the other hand, the theme is unexpected to emerge into a description.
Plot vs. Theme
The plot is not an underlying topic or message; conversely, the theme is an underlying topic or message.
Plot vs. Theme
The plot is mostly unidirectional and linear approaches; on the flip side, themes are not unidirectional and have no linear approaches.
Plot vs. Theme
In a story, there may be numerous plots, but it has one theme.
Plot vs. Theme
Writers refer plot as a complex form; on the other hand, theme as a simple form.
Plotnoun
(authorship) The course of a story, comprising a series of incidents which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means.
Themenoun
A subject of a talk or an artistic piece; a topic.
Plotnoun
An area or land used for building on or planting on.
Themenoun
A recurring idea; a motif.
Plotnoun
A graph or diagram drawn by hand or produced by a mechanical or electronic device.
Themenoun
(dated) An essay written for school.
Plotnoun
A secret plan to achieve an end, the end or means usually being illegal or otherwise questionable.
The plot would have enabled them to get a majority on the board.The assassination of Lincoln was part of a larger plot.Themenoun
(music) The main melody of a piece of music, especially one that is the source of variations.
Plotnoun
Contrivance; deep reach thought; ability to plot or intrigue.
Themenoun
A song, or a snippet of a song, that identifies a film, a TV program, a character, etc. by playing at the appropriate time.
Plotnoun
Participation in any stratagem or conspiracy.
Themenoun
The collection of color schemes, sounds, artwork etc., that "skin" an environment towards a particular motif.
Plotnoun
A plan; a purpose.
Themenoun
(grammar) The stem of a word.
Plotverb
(transitive) To conceive (a crime, etc).
They had plotted a robbery.Themenoun
(linguistics) thematic relation of a noun phrase to a verb.
Plotverb
(transitive) To trace out (a graph or diagram).
They plotted the number of edits per day.Themenoun
(linguistics) Theta role in generative grammar and government and binding theory.
Plotverb
(transitive) To mark (a point on a graph, chart, etc).
Every five minutes they plotted their position.Themenoun
(linguistics) Topic, what is generally being talked about, as opposed to rheme.
Plotverb
(intransitive) To conceive a crime, misdeed, etc.
They were plotting against the king.Themenoun
A regional unit of organisation in the Byzantine empire.
Plotnoun
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal);
they concocted a plot to discredit the governorI saw through his little game from the startThemeverb
(transitive) To give a theme to.
We themed the birthday party around superheroes.Plotnoun
a small area of ground covered by specific vegetation;
a bean plota cabbage patcha briar patchThemeverb
To apply a theme to; to change the visual appearance and/or layout of (software).
Plotnoun
the story that is told in a novel or play or movie etc.;
the characters were well drawn but the plot was banalThemenoun
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion;
he didn't want to discuss that subjectit was a very sensitive topichis letters were always on the theme of lovePlotnoun
a chart or map showing the movements or progress of an object
Themenoun
a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in a literary or artistic work;
it was the usual `boy gets girl' themePlotverb
plan secretly, usually something illegal;
They plotted the overthrow fo the governmentThemenoun
(music) melodic subject of a musical composition;
the theme is announced in the first measuresthe accompanist picked up the idea and elaborated itPlotverb
make a schematic or technical drawing of that shows how things work or how they are constructed
Themenoun
an essay (especially one written as an assignment);
he got an A on his compositionPlotverb
make a plat of;
Plat the townThemenoun
(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed;
thematic vowels are part of the stemThemeverb
provide with a particular theme or motive;
the restaurant often themes its menusComparison Chart
| Plot | Theme |
| The plot is a complete story that narrates what happened from start to end. | The theme is more of the main idea or the motif of the story. |
| Origin | |
| Before the 12th century | 1200-1300 |
| Use | |
| A story may have several plots. | There is a single theme in a story. |
| Characteristic | |
| Complex | Simple. |
Plot vs. Theme
A plot is known as synonymous with the storyline, whereas the theme is the main thought or idea. The plot is a turn into a story; on the other hand, the theme talks about the problems of the story. The plot is an essential literary component in a story; on the flip side, a theme in an artist’s exertion or an idea that the artist or writer improves or recaps.
The plot is a structured element in a story, whereas the theme is unstructured. The plot, as an overall, starts from the beginning of the story and ends when the tail ends; on the contrary, themes are important and beautiful decorations that arrange the whole concept of the literary work.
What is Plot?
The plot is a noun taken from Old English. The plot of a film, novel, or play is a linked sequence of occurrences to making up or invent the story.
The action that appears or happens with the characters, what they will do, where they will go, and when they will make an appearance are all the parts of a plot. When a plot becomes a mixture of several complicated plots, then it is known as an ‘imbroglio.’
Elements
- Exposition: Exposition is the introduction of the tail. It introduces the hero, setting, and other main characters.
- Rising Action: Rising action starts with the conflict. It consists of the build-up actions from the overview of the conflict, until the climax.
- Climax: Climax is the spinning point or the highest of the story. The contention of the story is in full swing in the climax. Climax created the highest interest and emotions.
- Falling Action: falling action consists of the actions that lead to the ending. The fight starts to fix in falling action.
- Resolution: Resolution symbols the conclusion or outcome of the story. The clash is set, and the tale achieves either a happy or sad ending.
What is Theme?
The word Theme is derived from ‘Latin language.’ The theme may be a central message or insight, carried through a piece of writing. Any piece of writing, no matter it is artificial, has a theme.
The theme in fiction is not accurate; the writer doesn’t directly state the theme; he only gives us cue about the story. It is upon the readers to read and recognize the theme of the story. In a literary concept, a theme has two categorizations of ‘thematic statement and thematic concept.’
The writer plans the thematic statement, and the readers decided the thematic concept or idea. Themes frequently copy the particular views of the writer or readers. Different people get different themes according to their perceptions.
It is possible that a text has multiple themes, but mostly books consist of a central theme. You can easily found central them as a recurring idea throughout the book. There are two types of a theme, ‘major theme and minor theme.’
The theme is considered to be global; it can be taken out of a text and applied to other texts. You can also express the theme in one sentence, and sometimes in a single word. A theme in imagination is not clear. Here writer only gives us evidence about the story.
Theme highlights the topic or message of the writer and director that what he wants to impart to his readers or viewers. Different writers have different styles in bringing the theme of a story. Many use different figures of speech to express their ideas more effectively, like similes, metaphors, and personification, amongst others.
Examples
- Shakespeare’s Othello – jealous
- Austen’s Sense and Sensibility – the danger of excessive sensibility
- Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby – society and class, love.
- Some others are of abortion, war, and revenge, etc.
ConclusionBoth the plot and the theme are confused and important literary devices. The plot is an overall detail of a novel, and the theme is the ornaments of the novel.
