Theme and Moral

In literature, themes and morals are not synonymous. In “What You Pawn I Will Redeem,” there is a theme of wasted effort. All the main character’s effort allows him to earn no money in the end. The moral of the story, however, is exemplified in what happens after the character earns no money. The pawn shop owner gives the main character his grandmother’s regalia regardless of how much money he earned. This demonstrates the story’s moral, that sometimes it’s better to do the right thing, rather than the fair thing, as exemplified by this quote from the pawnbroker: “You did win it. Now take it before I change my mind.” (Alexie 45) The theme and moral are different, but they work together to convey the message of the story.