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Theme - Short stories such as "Elisa's Diary" convey a theme, or a message or lesson that the author wants readers to know. This message is often revealed through the main character's actions - especially how he or she reacts to conflict. In "Elisa's Diary," the main character, Elisa, faces a conflict. The beginning of the story shows her first attempt at handling her problem. By the end of the story, she has a completely different response. How do her actions show her change of heart? How does this change reveal the theme of the story?