Heroism is also a big theme. In 'The Tale of Despereaux', the little mouse is a hero as he dares to be different and fight for what he believes in. He overcomes his small size and the prejudices of his kind to save the day. Additionally, exploration is a theme in many such novels like 'The Guardians of Ga'Hoole' where the owls explore new territories and discover new things about their world.
One common theme is friendship. For example, in many novels, the animal protagonist forms a strong bond with human or other animal characters. Another theme is survival. If the story is set in a harsh environment, the animal protagonist has to fight for survival. Also, self - discovery is often seen. The animal character may start to understand its own identity and abilities better as the story progresses.
One common theme is identity. Robot protagonists often struggle to define themselves in a world of biological beings. For example, in 'The Murderbot Diaries', the robot is constantly figuring out what it wants to be beyond its pre - programmed functions. Another theme is morality. Since robots are created by humans, they have to grapple with human - made moral codes. In 'I, Robot', the robots face situations where they need to decide right from wrong according to human ethics.
One common theme is the struggle for identity. Since they are undead, they often don't fit into the normal living society. Another theme is power acquisition. Undead protagonists usually start weak but gain extraordinary powers over time. For example, in 'Skeleton Soldier Couldn't Protect the Dungeon', the skeleton starts as a low - level undead and gradually becomes stronger.
Common themes in tragic animal novels include sacrifice. In 'Watership Down', some rabbits sacrifice themselves for the safety of the group. Loneliness is another theme, like in 'The Plague Dogs' where the two dogs are often alone in their struggle. And there's the theme of the unforgiving nature of the world. In 'Moby - Dick', the sea is an unforgiving environment that leads to the tragic fates of many characters. These themes not only add to the tragic nature of the stories but also make us reflect on the relationship between animals, humans and the world around them.
The theme of fear and panic also runs through these novels. When animals attack, the characters experience intense fear and often panic. This can lead to bad decisions or make the situation even more dangerous, as seen in 'Cujo' where the fear of the rabid dog spreads among the community.
Well, in sad animal novels, there's often a theme of displacement. Animals are taken from their natural habitats and struggle to adapt, like in 'Watership Down'. There's also the theme of the unfairness of life. Animals in these stories face a lot of unjust situations, such as being mistreated or abandoned. And the theme of hope in the face of despair is also there. Despite all the sad things that happen, animals sometimes show remarkable resilience and hope, which adds an emotional depth to the novels.
One common theme is the struggle between the human side and the animal side of the shifter. For example, in many werewolf - based novels, the character has to deal with their wild instincts while in a relationship. Another theme is acceptance. The non - shifter love interest often has to accept the shifter's true nature. And there's the theme of protection. Shifters usually feel the need to protect their loved ones.
Love is a common theme. Often, there is a love story between a human and a vampire or between two vampires. Another theme is power. Vampires usually have some special powers and there are often power struggles among them.
Another theme is self - discovery. Since they are in a new body or world, they have to figure out who they are now. They might have different personalities or values compared to their past life, and the story often revolves around this exploration. For instance, a character who was a coward in the past life might become brave in the new one and has to come to terms with this change.
Love is also a significant theme. Xianxia web novels often feature romantic relationships between characters. It could be a pure and deep love that endures through difficulties, or a complex love triangle. Additionally, the concept of karma and destiny is often explored, showing how a character's actions in the past can affect their present and future in the world of cultivation.