Final answer:
In literary works, themes convey underlying messages, and identifying motifs can help reveal these themes. Recurring elements like settings, objects, or phrases often symbolize broader concepts and contribute to the development of a theme, which is essential for a deeper understanding of the story and its characters.
Step-by-step explanation:
Finding Theme in Literary Works
Themes in literary works represent the underlying messages or central ideas which the author wants to convey to the readers. To identify themes, one might look for motifs, which are recurring elements within the story that are woven in through repetition, symbolizing larger ideas. For example, if a story frequently references a park associated with a character's childhood, and later shows the park being replaced by a housing complex, it can suggest a theme concerning the loss of innocence or the inevitable arrival of adulthood and change. This not only helps in understanding the character's development but also reflects a universal experience which the audience can relate to.
In the context of the original question, 'balboa', referring to the explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, hints at themes of exploration, discovery, and conquest, which are often motivated by the desire for wealth, fame, or national pride. These motivations can reveal themes pertaining to the human desire to push the known boundaries of the world, as well as the impact of European colonization on indigenous populations. Understanding an explorer's motivations assists in analyzing the broader themes illustrated through their actions and historical accounts.