Final answer:
The correct answer is A) Through showing the reader what Emily learns about herself. Authors reveal themes by focusing on character development and the internal journeys of their protagonists, which resonate with larger messages and universal truths within the story.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author can reveal the theme in a story through various methods. When considering the options provided, the correct option is A) Through showing the reader what Emily learns about herself. Authors often develop themes by chronicling a character's internal journey and the lessons they learn. This character-focused approach gives insight into broader themes by examining personal growth, moral dilemmas, or life changes, which reflect on the universal truths or messages the author wants to convey.
Using an old car to reveal a theme (B) could be a technique if the car symbolizes a larger concept, acting as a motif throughout the narrative. However, merely describing the car does not inherently reveal the theme unless it is linked to the character's journey or broader narrative significance. Similarly, while using quotes (C) might provide emphasis or highlight certain ideas, quotes in themselves do not reveal a theme without context.
Lastly, showing the time and place of the action (D) establishes the setting, which might be crucial for the atmosphere and context but not exclusively for revealing the theme. The theme is more deeply interwoven into how the characters and story elements interact within that setting and time period.
Therefore, the please provide correct option here is A), as authors often express themes through the evolution of their characters, particularly the protagonist, which provides a vehicle for the audience to attach to the larger messages and ideas presented in the story.