They also tend to have a slow - burning, drawn - out narrative. The length allows for a more in - depth exploration of the depressing themes. It's like in 'Anna Karenina'. The long - winded tale of Anna's doomed love affair gradually builds up the sense of tragedy and depression as we see her life slowly unravel.
Another characteristic is the exploration of complex and often negative human emotions. These stories dig deep into feelings like despair, loneliness, and regret. Take 'The Bell Jar' for instance. The protagonist's battle with mental illness is filled with such emotions as she feels isolated and lost in her own world.
One characteristic is unfulfilled love. For example, in many stories, the lovers are separated by circumstances like distance, family, or social status. Another is a sense of loss. When one of the lovers dies or leaves, the remaining person is left with a deep sense of emptiness. Also, there's often a feeling of powerlessness. The characters can't change the situation that's tearing their love apart, like in the case of terminal illness in some stories.
Often, they have a gloomy setting. For example, a dilapidated old house or a desolate landscape. This helps to set the mood right from the start.
Often, depressing graphic novels deal with heavy themes such as death, loss, and social injustice. They may use dark or muted colors in the illustrations to set a somber mood. For example, in 'Maus', the black - and - white drawings enhance the feeling of the harshness of the Holocaust.
One long depressing story is 'The Great Gatsby'. It shows the disillusionment of the American Dream through the tragic love of Gatsby for Daisy. Gatsby's pursuit ends in vain, and his death is a symbol of the hollowness of that era's values.
One characteristic could be the often dystopian settings. In 70s science fiction, many works depicted a future that was rather bleak. For example, in some stories, the Earth was overpopulated and resources were scarce. There was also a sense of social decay, with governments being corrupt or ineffective. Another aspect was the exploration of the impact of technology on humanity. Sometimes technology was shown as a double - edged sword, bringing both progress and new problems like the loss of human connection or the rise of machines over humans.
One characteristic could be the exploration of darker themes. For example, it might focus on the loss of a major character like Sirius Black in a more gut - wrenching way than in the original series. The fanfiction could also delve into the post - war trauma that the characters might have faced, painting a picture of a gloomy and desolate Hogwarts, with students and teachers alike still haunted by the horrors of the battle.
Long stories often have complex plots. They usually involve multiple characters with different motives and personalities. For example, in 'A Tale of Two Cities', there are many characters like Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay, and the plot weaves through the French Revolution. Long stories also tend to cover a wide range of themes. They can explore love, death, power, and morality all in one. Additionally, they may span different locations and time periods, adding to their richness.
Often, it's the themes of loss. For example, if a game has a character lose a loved one like in 'The Walking Dead' games. The constant threat of death is another factor. In games like 'Resident Evil' where you're always in danger. And the feeling of helplessness, such as in games where you play as a weak character in a powerful and cruel world.
One very depressing story could be about a child who grows up in an abusive family. Constantly facing physical and emotional harm, with no one to turn to. This kind of story shows the dark side of human nature and the helplessness of the victim.
Stories about terminal illness can be very depressing. For example, a story of a mother who has a terminal disease and has to leave her young children behind. She watches helplessly as her family struggles with the impending loss. Also, the story of a person wrongly convicted of a crime and spending years in prison, losing their youth and hope, is extremely depressing. Animal abuse stories are also very sad, like those of dogs left in cruel conditions in puppy mills.