What is the central idea of The Song of the Lark?

The central idea of The Song of the Lark is that Thea, a great singer, must follow her own path and avoid conventionality to achieve artistic success. Her family does not understand her, and her friend Dr. Archie, who saves her life as a girl, believes that they don't understand how special she is.
Thea does not follow a conventional path. She befriends people in her town of Moonstone, Colorado, whom others shun, such as Professor Wunsch, her drunk music teacher. She also delights in the company of Spanish Johnny, who is also a drunk. When the man who intended on marrying her dies and leaves her money, she goes to Chicago to study music. In the midst of her career, she does not go home for her mother's funeral. She shuns what is expected and conventional. Though Thea is not heartless, she must follow the artist's path and her own instinctual wanderings to achieve greatness as a musician.

The novel is centered around a character named Thea Kronborg who is ambitious and talented. She aspires to become a musician and to embrace her talent in the city of Chicago. The book is a story of courage and independence. Thea leaves her hometown, a place full of comforts, and heads for the big city alone to follow her dreams. Although Thea faces obstacles and hardships, she strives to overcome them in an effort to reach her goals. Thea focuses on what is important to her, which ultimately brings her happiness and a sense of achievement. Her perseverance pays off, and she soon realizes that if she wants to achieve greatness, the effort needs to be put in. Greatness will not simply be handed to her.