What are the common themes in pandemic fiction short stories?

Well, in pandemic short stories, mortality is often a theme. The threat of death is everywhere. For example, in 'The Masque of the Red Death', death is personified and cannot be escaped. Also, the breakdown of society is a theme. When a pandemic hits, social order can start to crumble. People may fight over resources, and the normal rules may no longer apply. This is seen in many such stories where the chaos that ensues is a key element.

One common theme is survival. Characters often have to find ways to stay alive in a world turned upside down by the pandemic.

In fictional pandemic books, a major theme is the exploration of fear. People are afraid of getting sick, of losing their loved ones, and of the unknown future. This is seen in books like 'Station Eleven'. Another theme is hope. Despite the dire circumstances, characters often hold onto hope for a better future, whether it's finding a cure or rebuilding society. And there's the theme of adaptation. Characters need to adapt to new living conditions, new rules, and new relationships. In 'The Girl with All the Gifts', the main character has to adapt to her own unique situation in a world full of the infected.

One common theme is the importance of togetherness in isolation. Couples had to rely on each other more as they were cut off from the outside world.

The theme of isolation is common. People are separated from each other due to quarantine and fear of infection. In 'Love in the Time of Cholera', the lovers are often separated by the cholera - stricken areas. Additionally, the theme of adaptation is prevalent. Characters have to adapt to new living conditions, new rules, and new threats, as seen in 'The Andromeda Strain' where scientists have to quickly adapt to deal with the unknown microbe.

One common theme is loss. The loss of lives, the loss of a sense of safety, and the loss of a pre - 9/11 world. People in these stories often struggle to come to terms with the sudden and violent nature of the losses they've experienced.

One common theme is the breakdown of society. In post - pandemic novels, we often see how the normal order collapses, like in 'Station Eleven' where the world after the pandemic is a far cry from the pre - pandemic one. People have to form new communities and ways of living.

One common theme could be survival. Given the pandemic aspect, characters may have to find ways to survive in a changed and often dangerous world. Another theme might be adaptation. They need to adapt to new circumstances, whether it's new social norms, new abilities if there's a tensei element, or new threats.

One common theme is the exploration of human relationships. In these short forms, authors often focus on the dynamics between two or a few characters, like love, friendship, or family relationships. For instance, in some short short fictions, a brief encounter between strangers can reveal a lot about human connection.

Love and lust are common themes. The exploration of physical attraction and the strong emotions it can evoke.