Final answer:
The theme of "The Vain Jackdaw" is the importance of authenticity and the dangers of vanity, as shown by the jackdaw's failed attempt to pass as a peacock.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theme of "The Vain Jackdaw" involves the consequences of pretending to be something one is not and the importance of being true to oneself. The story illustrates how the jackdaw tries to fit in with the peacocks by adorning itself with their feathers, only to be ridiculed and rejected by both the peacocks and its own kind when the truth is revealed. This fable teaches the moral that authenticity is more important than superficial appearances, and that one should have the courage to be oneself.
Common themes in literature relate to universal human experiences and emotions, like love, jealousy, friendship, and in the case of "The Vain Jackdaw," the folly of vanity and the value of authenticity.