Final answer:
The theme of Shirley Jackson's "Charles" is c) moral ambiguity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Shirley Jackson's "Charles" primarily explores the theme of moral ambiguity. Throughout the narrative, Laurie, a young boy, tells his parents stories about a mischievous classmate named Charles. Laurie's tales about Charles' behavior—which include being fresh, hitting the teacher, and encouraging others to say inappropriate words—paint a picture of a deeply troubled child. Yet, the twist revealed at the story's end, where it becomes clear that there is no Charles and Laurie has been describing his own misconduct, suggests that the nature of innocence, truth, and deception, especially in the context of childhood, is complex and multifaceted.
In determining the theme, we can look at the character development and how Laurie presents himself versus the actions he attributes to Charles. The fact that Laurie creates an imaginary culprit for his own actions indicates his struggle with understanding right and wrong, and the ways in which children navigate morality. This is further suggested by the contrasting interpretations of Laurie's behavior by his teacher and his parents, illustrating differing perspectives on discipline, upbringing, and the nature of childhood behavior. So the answer is c.