theme is the basic premise behind the story... the story is the development of that premise into a plot... themes: boy comes of age in time of war; pacifism vs militarism story: Joe Doakes is left fatherless when his father is killed in iraq... an army brat who intended to follow his family's tradition of service in the military, joe comes to believe all killing is wrong and becomes a pacifist/activist, angering and alienating his family and friends... see the diff?
Maia got it right. Theme is more of the idea or moral of the story, whereas, the story is the string of events that convey that idea. A bit confusing (at least the way I just put it) but Maia's example is great. zb
