Another theme is cultural traditions. Chinese novels often show how traditional values play a role in family - related marriages. In many cases, marriages are arranged by parents or elders, and the new member has to adapt to the family's cultural norms. This can be seen in various historical - themed Chinese novels.
Love and conflict is also a prevalent theme. Sometimes, the person marrying into the family may have their own ideas about love, which conflict with the family's expectations. This creates a lot of drama and tension in the story, as in 'The Plum in the Golden Vase', where the characters' personal desires often clash with the family's rules regarding marriage.
One common theme is the cultural clash. When a character marries into a family, there are often different cultural backgrounds at play. For example, different traditions regarding holidays, family gatherings, and even how to raise children. Another theme could be the struggle for acceptance. The new family member may face resistance from some family members who are not so welcoming at first. And also, power dynamics within the family can be a theme. There might be an established hierarchy in the family, and the person who marries in has to find their place in it.
Often, there is a theme of self - discovery. As the character marries into a new family, they learn more about themselves, their own limits, and what they truly want in life. Love is also a significant theme. Sometimes the marriage is initially based on convenience or obligation, but over time, true love may develop between the character and their spouse or other family members. Additionally, family secrets are a common theme. The new member may uncover hidden aspects of the family's past or present that can change the course of their relationship with the family.
One common theme is the struggle of the individual against family and social norms. The characters often find themselves trapped in marriages they don't want due to family pressure or social expectations. For example, in many traditional Chinese novels, a woman may be forced to marry into a wealthy family for the sake of her own family's interests.
One common theme is the discovery of self and the other. When two strangers enter into a marriage, they start to learn about themselves and each other. For example, they might find out hidden aspects of their personalities through their interactions within the marriage.
One common theme is family obligation. In Chinese culture, family has a very important position. Arranged marriages in these novels often reflect the family's will to maintain status, form alliances or continue the family line. For example, a wealthy family may arrange a marriage for their daughter to a family with a high social status to strengthen their influence in society.
Another theme is misunderstandings. Characters may misunderstand each other's intentions and end up in a marriage - like situation. For instance, a character might think they are just helping another out in a difficult situation, but it is misconstrued as a marriage proposal. And then there are also themes related to fate. Sometimes, the plot is designed in such a way that fate seems to push characters into these unintended marriages, like in some xianxia novels where there are prophecies or fated encounters that lead to such situations.
One common theme is the clash of cultures or social classes. For example, in some novels, one partner may be from a wealthy and noble family while the other is from a poor or humble background. This leads to misunderstandings and difficulties in the relationship at first.
One common theme is resistance. The protagonists often resist the arranged marriage at first, either because they have their own love interests or they don't want to be controlled by family arrangements. For example, in many novels, the female lead may try to break free from the arranged marriage bond.
Family interference. In Chinese culture, family plays a big role. In flash marriage novels, families may not initially accept the sudden marriage. They might try to break the couple up or impose their own values on them. For instance, a wealthy family may not approve of their son's flash - married wife from a humble background.
One well - known Chinese novel in this regard could be 'Dream of the Red Chamber'. It involves complex family relationships and the idea of marriage within the family context. The main character, Jia Baoyu, has various interactions within his family regarding marriage and relationships.