Subtext
In short: Subtext is what resonates without being said – the real meaning beneath the surface of dialogue and action. In short stories especially, subtext often carries the story.
How subtext arises
Characters rarely say everything: People talk past each other, withhold, evade. That very gap is the subtext.
Action against words: When a character says one thing and does the opposite, tension builds beneath the surface.
Trust the reader: Don't explain everything. Gaps that readers fill themselves are more powerful.
Related terms: Dialogue · Show, don't tell · Leitmotif
Frequently asked questions
What is subtext?
The unspoken meaning that resonates beneath what is literally said – what lies between the lines.
How do I write subtext into dialogue?
By having characters not say directly what they mean – through implication, evasion and the gap between word and action.