Surtext vs. Subtext — What's the Difference?

(rare) The explicit or surface meaning of a literary text, as opposed to the subtext.

An underlying and often distinct theme in a piece of writing or conversation

An implicit meaning or theme of a literary text.

The underlying personality of a dramatic character as implied or indicated by a script or text and interpreted by an actor in performance.

(authorship) The implicit meaning of a text, often a literary one, or a speech or dialogue.