Which statement best defines a theme in a short story? A. A theme helps build tension between the characters in a story. B. A theme helps reveal the order in which events occur in a story. C. A theme is the topic of a story, which the author develops through a particular tone and mood. D. A theme is the central message, moral, or lesson conveyed using characters, setting, and plot. E. A theme is the use of an object to represent a larger idea.