A literary analysis essay examines the components of a text in order to construct an argument about the thematic message. An analysis essay identifies literary elements such as characterization, symbolism, motifs, and analyzes their effect on the reader and relation to the theme of the text. Theme is the overarching subject or topic the reader recognizes or gains from a story. By understanding this subject or topic, we are able to recognize truths about what it means to be human and to be part of society. This idea or truth helps us to understand ourselves as human beings who are connected to all human beings in the world, across all spaces, cultures and across all time. The theme is the important thing for us to learn about others, but especially about ourselves. An analysis essay examines the components of a text, the literary elements, in order to construct an argument about this theme.