Step-by-step explanation:
If your English teacher instructed you to find the theme of the literary work you were reading, you would be looking for:
C. the main idea of the entire work
The theme of a literary work is the central idea or message that the author is trying to convey through the work. It is usually a broad statement or perception about life, human nature, society, or the world that is communicated through the characters, plot, setting, and other elements of the work. The theme is not the same as the subject or topic of the work, which refers to the specific subject matter or events that are portrayed. Instead, the theme is the deeper meaning or significance that can be derived from the work as a whole.