What are the common themes in famous fictional short stories?

One common theme is death and loss. It can add a sense of melancholy and depth to the story. For example, a character might be dealing with the loss of a loved one. Mystery is also a big one. Stories with an element of mystery keep readers guessing until the end. And then there's the theme of self - discovery. Characters often go through a process of finding out who they really are, especially in the face of difficult situations.

One common theme is sacrifice. In many stories, like 'The Gift of the Magi', the characters sacrifice something valuable for the sake of their love. This shows the depth of their feelings.

One common theme is the struggle for normalcy. People with diabetes in these stories often strive to have a normal life despite their condition. Another theme is the support system, like family and friends helping the diabetic character.

A common theme is the hero's transformation. They might start out as an ordinary person and then through a series of events in the short story, they become a true hero. Take Frodo in 'The Lord of the Rings' short stories (extracts can be considered as short stories). He starts as a simple hobbit but is transformed by the quest to destroy the Ring into a heroic figure. Also, the theme of friendship often plays a role, as heroes usually have comrades who support them on their journey.

One common theme is the loss of innocence. Soldiers often go into war as naive individuals and come out changed. For example, in 'The Red Badge of Courage', the main character starts as a young, idealistic recruit and quickly realizes the harsh reality of war. Another theme is heroism. Stories may depict soldiers performing heroic acts, like in 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' where the main character tries to escape his execution in a very brave way.

Isolation is another theme. In many horror short stories, the characters are isolated, such as in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' where the woman is isolated in a room. This isolation makes them more vulnerable to the horror elements, be it a supernatural force or their own deteriorating mental state.

One of the common themes is self - discovery. In a short fictional story, the main character often goes through a process of learning more about themselves. For instance, they might face a difficult situation that makes them realize their strengths and weaknesses. Another theme is good vs. evil. There are usually characters representing good and those representing evil, and the story shows their struggle. Family can also be a theme, with stories focusing on family relationships and how they impact the characters.

One major theme is the impact of slavery and its aftermath. Even though slavery was abolished, its legacy still haunts African American society. Short stories might deal with how descendants of slaves are still affected by the trauma and discrimination that started during the slavery era. Additionally, the theme of self - discovery is common. African American characters in these stories are often on a journey to find out who they really are, especially in a society that tries to define them in a narrow and negative way.

Another theme is the reinforcement of traditional gender roles. Some stories still depict men as strong, stoic, and in charge, while women are nurturing and submissive. This can be seen in stories set in more conservative or historical settings. But this is becoming less common as society progresses.

Another theme is transformation. When characters enter the wardrobe in many stories, they are transformed into different versions of themselves or enter a different world altogether. It represents a change from the ordinary to the extraordinary.