Final answer:
Theme is the literary term that describes an underlying idea or message that runs throughout a work of literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
Theme is the literary term that describes an underlying idea or message that runs throughout a work of literature. It is the central topic or main idea that the author wants to convey to the reader. Themes can be expressed through the actions, dialogue, and symbols in the text, and often explore universal concepts or values.
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