The theme of human nature is also explored. It shows whether people become more savage or more compassionate in the face of the end. Some might turn on each other, while others will go out of their way to help strangers. This exploration of human nature under extreme circumstances is really interesting in these short stories.
A common theme is survival. People are forced to use all their skills and resources just to stay alive in a world that's falling apart.
Yes, of course. One theme is the pursuit of knowledge. A character in a short story may be on a quest to learn something new, whether it's a scientific discovery or a deeper understanding of themselves. Another theme is the battle between good and evil. This is a classic theme where the good characters try to overcome the evil ones. And the theme of freedom is important too. It can be about a character breaking free from physical or mental constraints, like escaping from prison or getting over an addiction.
Sure. One example could be a story about a hiker's experience on a particular day during a week - long trek. That day might be when they reached the peak of a mountain and had an amazing view, while the other days were just about the journey through the forest. Another example could be a student's story of a single day at school during an exam week. That day was filled with stress and the realization of how much they had studied or not studied.
One example could be some of the choose - your - own - adventure type of stories. Since the outcome depends on the reader's choices, there's no single end, so they can be considered 'not the end stories'.
From the list of themes for short stories, one theme could be family. A story might revolve around a family dealing with the loss of a loved one and how they come together in the face of grief. Another theme could be survival. Picture a group of people stranded in the wilderness and their struggle to survive. Also, the theme of mystery is quite common. A short story could be about a detective trying to solve a baffling crime in a small town.
Nature as a healer is a good theme. A character who is troubled in some way finds solace and healing in the midst of nature. For instance, someone who has lost a loved one goes to the forest and through their experiences there, starts to feel better. Also, nature as a teacher. Characters can learn important lessons about life, such as patience or simplicity, from observing nature.
Sure. A plot could be that a killer is targeting people who are named after characters in famous fictional murder stories, and he does this over the course of 12 days. Each day, the victim has a stronger connection to a different fictional killer's MO.
The theme of homecoming is also prevalent. Redeployment often means going back to a base or home country. But this homecoming can be bittersweet. There may be a sense of alienation as the soldier has changed during their time away. They may not fit in as well as they used to, or they may find that things at home have changed drastically in their absence. This can create a lot of internal conflict for the soldier in the short story.
There are many examples of themes in short stories. For example, the theme of discovery. It could be the discovery of a new place, a new idea, or a new side of oneself. The theme of fate is also a type of theme. A short story might deal with the concept of whether our lives are predetermined by fate or if we have free will. And then there's the theme of transformation, like a character who undergoes a significant transformation, either physically or in terms of their personality.
Abandonment is a theme. Think about a child being abandoned by their parents. It's extremely sad. The theme of destruction can also be in sad stories. For example, a natural disaster destroying a community and the people's lives there. Also, the theme of lost opportunities. When someone misses out on a great opportunity and realizes it too late, it makes for a sad story. There are often feelings of self - blame and sadness associated with it.
One good theme is courage. For example, in 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe', the children show great courage in the face of the White Witch and her evil plans. They risk their lives to save Narnia.