Possible themes could include mystery. The black gondola itself gives an air of mystery, so the stories might revolve around secrets or unknown events. Another theme could be love, set against the backdrop of the gondola rides which can be quite romantic.
Themes like love and marriage could be explored. The butcher's wife's relationship with her husband would be a likely area. Also, themes of hard work and survival might be there considering the butcher's profession and how they make a living. There could also be themes related to social status, as the butcher and his wife might have a certain standing in the community.
The theme of good vs. evil might be explored. Given the mention of 'cherub', which is often related to the good or divine, and 'dark sun' which could symbolize something menacing or evil. There could also be a theme of mystery, as the combination of these elements in the title is rather enigmatic.
I'm sorry, I haven't actually read 'the black gondola and other stories' in detail. But generally, it might be a collection of stories perhaps set in an interesting location given the mention of 'gondola' which makes me think of Venice. The 'black gondola' could be a central or symbolic element in these stories.
Nature is likely a theme, given the mention of the country. Also, perhaps the theme of self - discovery as the change of environment from city to country (if that's the case) can lead to characters learning more about themselves.
Resilience is likely a theme. After the fire, the characters in the novel would have to pick up the pieces and move on. Their ability to bounce back from such a disaster could be a central theme, showing the strength of the human spirit.
Well, first off, there's probably a sense of confusion. The family might not understand why the uncle was taken. So, confusion is an emotion that could be explored. Then, there's the fear that comes with the unknown - what will happen to the uncle? And of course, there's the grief. Grieving for the loss of the uncle's presence in their lives. Also, if there was a struggle to get the uncle back, there could be determination as an emotion in the story.
Power struggle is likely to be a major theme. In the context of the inner palace, there are different factions vying for power. The raven could be caught in the middle of these power plays or be a sign of impending changes in the power structure. For instance, its appearance might be seen as an omen by different parties, each interpreting it according to their own interests.
The themes in 'the sacred star of isis and other stories' could be quite diverse. For starters, there's likely to be a strong theme of ancient Egyptian culture and religion. This would include the role of Isis in that society and how the Sacred Star was perceived. Another theme could be that of transformation. In mythology, Isis was often associated with transformation, and the Sacred Star could be a catalyst for such changes in the stories. There might also be a theme of fate or destiny. The characters' actions could be guided by the power of the Sacred Star and Isis, leading them towards their pre - ordained fates. And of course, the theme of mystery would pervade throughout, as the Sacred Star is likely to hold many secrets within the context of the stories.
One possible theme could be cultural exploration. Hookah has cultural significance in some regions, and the stories might revolve around that.
One theme could be resistance. The ax could symbolize a tool for the black woman to fight against oppression, whether it's slavery or other forms of discrimination. For example, she might use it to defend herself or her community.