Final answer:
A theme statement reflects the author's insights about a particular topic in their work, and can serve as the thesis statement of a literary analysis essay aimed at discussing the theme; hence, the answer is "4) A and B only".
Step-by-step explanation:
The theme statement in a literary context is a reflection of the insights an author presents about a certain topic through their work. It is not merely the main topic of literature but a broader statement that connects the dots between the plot points, conflicts, and characters within a story, revealing a message or a truth about humanity, life, or the universe.
A theme statement can be the thesis statement of an essay if the essay's goal is to analyze a literary work's theme. Therefore, the correct answer would be "4) A and B only" since the theme statement should be a reflection of the author's insights and can also serve as a thesis statement when the essay's purpose is to analyze the theme.
The essay's thesis statement functions as the main argument or the central point that the essay offers. It ought to be concise, specific, and debatable—summarizing the essay's main interpretation.
Main idea or topic sentences within the body paragraphs directly relate to this thesis and explore its different aspects with supporting evidence. This evidence often takes the form of quotes or paraphrases from the literary work being analyzed.
Literary devices such as metaphor, symbolism, or irony may be analyzed to support the theme-related thesis, demonstrating how they contribute to the overarching message or theme.
Lastly, the author's conclusion is structured to summarize the main points of the essay, reflect upon the significance of the analysis and often emphasize the implications of the thesis, forming a counterpart to the introduction without merely repeating it.
So Option 4.