Who are some of the memorable characters in Roald Dahl's adult short stories?

The Fantastic Mr. Fox is really memorable. He's so clever and manages to outwit the farmers. Also, Matilda is a great character. Her intelligence and her ability to stand up to the mean adults in her life are inspiring. She has this magical power which makes her story really interesting.

There's the Landlady. She seems friendly at first but has a very sinister side. Another is the Great Automatic Grammatizator's creator. His greed and ambition make him a memorable and somewhat terrifying character. And then there's the man in 'Lamb to the Slaughter' who is the victim of his wife's rather unexpected act of violence.

Charlie Bucket from 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' is very memorable. He is kind - hearted and his wonder at the amazing chocolate factory makes him a character we can all relate to.

There are often devious characters. For instance, con - artists who are very clever in their schemes.

The main characters are often ordinary people thrown into extraordinary situations. They could be a simple office worker who suddenly discovers a magical world. Or a middle - aged man who has to face a strange and menacing force. They are usually relatable at first, with normal fears and desires.

In 'James and the Giant Peach', James is the main character. He is a young boy who has to deal with a difficult situation at home and then embarks on an adventure inside the giant peach with his new friends like the Centipede, the Earthworm and the Ladybird.

There's the little girl in some of the stories. Her wide - eyed view of the world and her interactions with the more devious characters make her stand out. She represents innocence in a world of some rather strange adults. And of course, there are the adults who are often up to no good, like the con - artist types that Dahl so vividly portrays.

Main characters can include outcasts. People who don't fit into normal society. They might be the ones to encounter the horror first. Also, there are the victims. These are the characters who are at the mercy of the horror elements in the story. And sometimes there are tricksters. Characters who seem friendly but are actually leading others into horror.

The themes include the exploration of power dynamics. In his adult short stories, Dahl shows how power can corrupt or be misused. He might depict a character in a position of authority who abuses it for personal gain. Also, there is a theme of the fragility of relationships. Characters' relationships are often tested by various factors like secrets, lies, or external pressures. The stories also touch on the concept of perception versus reality, where things are not always as they seem at first glance.

Common themes include the exploration of morality. Dahl presents moral dilemmas in his adult short stories, making readers question what is right and wrong. There is also a sense of the macabre. His stories can be a bit dark and spooky, dealing with death and the supernatural in a unique way. And often, there is a theme of the underdog. Characters who are initially underestimated or in a difficult situation manage to turn things around in a very Dahl - like, unexpected manner.