What are the common themes in tragic animal novels?

Common themes in dark tragic novels include death. It can be sudden, violent, or slow and lingering, as seen in many gothic novels. Betrayal is also a big one. In 'The Count of Monte Cristo', Edmond Dantes is betrayed and his life is ruined, leading to his own complex and tragic journey of revenge. And the theme of the futility of human existence. In 'Waiting for Godot', the characters seem to be waiting for something that may never come, showing the emptiness and tragic nature of life where efforts seem to lead nowhere.

The theme of fear and panic also runs through these novels. When animals attack, the characters experience intense fear and often panic. This can lead to bad decisions or make the situation even more dangerous, as seen in 'Cujo' where the fear of the rabid dog spreads among the community.

Well, in sad animal novels, there's often a theme of displacement. Animals are taken from their natural habitats and struggle to adapt, like in 'Watership Down'. There's also the theme of the unfairness of life. Animals in these stories face a lot of unjust situations, such as being mistreated or abandoned. And the theme of hope in the face of despair is also there. Despite all the sad things that happen, animals sometimes show remarkable resilience and hope, which adds an emotional depth to the novels.

One common theme is sacrifice. In many tragic love stories, one or both of the lovers sacrifice something important, like their family, reputation or even their lives for love. For example, in 'Romeo and Juliet', they sacrifice their lives in the name of love.

One common theme is unrequited love. In many classic tragic romances, one character loves another who either does not return the feelings or is unable to due to external circumstances like family obligations or social status.

Well, fate often plays a role. In 'Wuthering Heights', Heathcliff and Catherine seem to be fated to have a tragic relationship. Illness can be a theme too, as in 'The Fault in Our Stars' where the characters' cancer affects their love. Betrayal is another theme. Sometimes a character betrays the trust of their lover, leading to a tragic end. In 'Anna Karenina', Anna's affair is seen as a betrayal in the eyes of society, which contributes to her tragic fate.

One common theme is unrequited love. In many contemporary tragic romances, one character may love the other deeply, but for various reasons like social status, family issues or personal insecurities, the love is not fully reciprocated. For example, in some novels, a poor character may fall for a wealthy one, and the wealthier character may struggle with their feelings due to family expectations.

Loss is also a major theme. It could be the loss of a loved one, a home, or a sense of self. For example, in 'A Streetcar Named Desire', Blanche loses not only her family's plantation but also her own sanity and dignity as she tries to adapt to a new and unforgiving world.

Heroism is also a big theme. In 'The Tale of Despereaux', the little mouse is a hero as he dares to be different and fight for what he believes in. He overcomes his small size and the prejudices of his kind to save the day. Additionally, exploration is a theme in many such novels like 'The Guardians of Ga'Hoole' where the owls explore new territories and discover new things about their world.

One common theme is the struggle between the human side and the animal side of the shifter. For example, in many werewolf - based novels, the character has to deal with their wild instincts while in a relationship. Another theme is acceptance. The non - shifter love interest often has to accept the shifter's true nature. And there's the theme of protection. Shifters usually feel the need to protect their loved ones.