Final answer:
The best-expressed theme of the text is the emotional difficulty and guilt associated with making significant life changes that diverge from one's established life or community.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best expresses a theme of the text You Don't Have to Say You Love Me is (C). The decision to make a life change is difficult and people may feel guilty for leaving a life or community behind. This theme encompasses various scenarios like a change of major, which represents a significant departure from one's original plans, the complexities that arise when learning new truths about oneself or someone close, or when one's religious affiliation shifts, leading to potentially profound life changes. These decisions can be fraught with emotional distress, including feelings of guilt or disloyalty, especially when they diverge from long-held beliefs or the expectations of one's family and community.
Adolescents may struggle with identity formation, often finding themselves at crossroads where they must choose between adhering to the beliefs of their parents or embracing new ideas and relationships. Additionally, life events such as marriages, migrations, or familial upheavals can prompt individuals to reassess and redefine their beliefs and values. According to Kohlberg, fewer than 25% of people progress beyond the fourth stage of moral development, often because of significant life events that challenge their existing moral framework.