What are the common themes in'man vs society' short stories?

One common theme is the struggle for individual freedom. For example, in stories where a repressive government or social system exists, the protagonist often fights for their own freedom to think, act, or be different. Another theme is the power of conformity. Society often pressures people to conform, and in these short stories, the main character resists that pressure. For instance, in a story about a strict religious society, a character may question the dogma and face conflict.

Rebellion. In these stories, the protagonist often rebels against the norms and rules of society. For example, in 'The Catcher in the Rye', Holden Caulfield rebels against the 'phony' adult world. Another theme is freedom. The characters are usually fighting for their freedom or the freedom of others, like in 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' where the slaves fight for freedom from a slave - owning society. And there's the theme of identity. The characters struggle to maintain their true identity in the face of a society that wants to mold them into something else.

Power struggle is a common theme. For example, in 'The Most Dangerous Game', the two men are fighting for power over life and death. Revenge is another, like in 'The Cask of Amontillado'. And pride, as in 'To Build a Fire', where the man's pride leads to his conflict with the unforgiving nature which can be seen as an opponent like another man.

Survival is also a theme. In some man vs man short stories, the characters are in a situation where they have to fight each other to survive. It could be in a post - apocalyptic setting or a situation like being stranded on an island. They compete for limited resources or for their own safety. And of course, pride often plays a role. A character's excessive pride might make them engage in a man vs man conflict, not wanting to back down or admit defeat.

Conflict over identity can be a theme. In some stories, characters are in conflict because they represent different identities or social classes. In 'A & P', Sammy's identity as a young rebel clashes with his boss's identity as a rule - following authority figure. Another theme is the struggle for survival, not just in a physical sense but also in a social or emotional sense. In 'The Interlopers', the two men are initially in a struggle for territorial survival, but then their situation changes to a more emotional survival as they face the unexpected together. And misunderstanding is also a common theme. When characters misunderstand each other's intentions, it can lead to man vs man conflict as in some stories where miscommunication causes enmity between two people.

One common theme is self - discovery. In these stories, the characters often start off not fully understanding themselves and through their internal struggles, they come to learn more about their true nature. For example, in 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Dr. Jekyll discovers the dark and hidden parts of himself that he didn't know existed before creating Mr. Hyde.

Fear is a common theme. Man is often afraid of the unknown and supernatural forces. For example, in 'The Monkey's Paw', the family is terrified of the consequences of their wishes granted by the paw. Another theme is powerlessness. Humans usually find themselves powerless against supernatural entities like in 'The Horla' where the narrator can't seem to get rid of the haunting being. And there's also the theme of madness. The encounter with the supernatural can drive characters insane as seen in 'The Tell - Tale Heart'.

Guilt is a common theme. In many man vs self stories, like 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the character is haunted by their guilty conscience. Another theme is self - discovery. Characters often have to confront parts of themselves they didn't know or accept before. For example, in 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', Dr. Jekyll discovers the dark side of his nature.

One common theme is the consequence of human greed. For example, in many stories, humans take too much from nature like over - harvesting resources, and then nature strikes back with disasters. Another theme is the journey of human realization. Humans often start by being at odds with nature but then come to understand the importance of living in harmony with it. For instance, a farmer who over - tills his land and faces soil erosion finally realizes he needs to use more sustainable farming methods.

One common theme is the insignificance of man. In short stories about man - vs - nature conflict, humans are often made to realize how small and powerless they are in the face of nature's vastness and might. Take 'The Open Boat' for instance, the men in the boat are at the mercy of the ocean, which makes them feel tiny and helpless. Another theme is adaptation. Characters are forced to adapt to nature's conditions, whether it's learning to find food in a new environment or building shelter against the elements. Also, there is the theme of respect for nature. Through the conflict, the characters (and the readers) often learn that nature should be respected and not taken for granted.