Who determines theme? The reader or writer?

From the writing point of view, theme is akin to a controlling idea.

It's a central idea which determines everything about the story.

It will involve, in essence, an argument and a counter-argument.

It will determine much about the story, from who the characters are, to who the characters will become, to the situations the characters journey through to change…and much more...

The writer determines the theme at the outset.

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