In 'A Dead Woman's Secret' short story, the themes of family secrets and the past often play important roles. The dead woman's secret may be related to her family, something that has been hidden for a long time and could potentially change the family's perception of her or their own history.
Obviously, the dead woman is one of the main characters, even though she is dead. Her existence and her secret are the driving forces of the story. There may also be characters related to her, like her family members or friends who are affected by her secret.
Maybe the secret is about a hidden treasure she knew about or a forbidden love affair she had. There could be many possibilities.
Maybe it's a hidden love affair that nobody knew about during her lifetime.
The story could involve uncovering a hidden truth or mystery related to the woman's death that was previously unknown.
Isolation can be considered a theme as well. The characters seem to be somewhat isolated in their own thoughts and experiences, even when they are in a social gathering. They carry their own private burdens and memories that set them apart.
One of the main themes is the clash between tradition and modernity. The path in the story has traditional significance for the villagers, but the new headmaster sees it as an obstacle to his modernizing plans for the school.
Love and its complexity is another theme. Gabriel's love for Gretta is shaken when he learns about her past love. It shows how love can be influenced by memories and past experiences.
Love and loss are main themes. Gabriel experiences a sense of loss when he realizes that his wife has had a deep, past love that he was unaware of. Mortality is also a key theme. As the story progresses, there is a growing awareness of death, symbolized by the snow and the overall melancholic mood.
Since I don't know the story, it's hard to say for sure. But there could be the dead woman herself, perhaps a detective or investigator if it's a mystery - type story, and people who knew her like her family or friends.
Unrequited love is a main theme. Characters experience love that is not returned, creating a sense of longing and melancholy.