There are often middle - aged characters. These are people who have already lived a part of their lives and are now at a crossroads, facing new challenges or trying to make sense of their past choices.
Tyler also writes about ordinary, everyday people. They could be a housewife, a shopkeeper, or a schoolteacher. Through these common characters, she shows the extraordinary in the ordinary, like how a simple conversation between a cashier and a customer can reveal deep - seated emotions.
Children are also present in her short stories. They play important roles in showing the family dynamics. Sometimes, they are the ones who can see the truth more clearly than the adults, and their innocence or naivete can either bring the family closer or drive them further apart.
Another theme is the sense of place. Her stories are set in specific locations which seem to have a strong influence on the characters. For example, the small - town environment can both confine and comfort the people living there.
There are often strong - willed women. They are not afraid to speak their minds and fight for what they want. And then there are older, wise characters who pass on their knowledge. Also, there are working - class characters, like farmers or laborers, who represent the common folk in the African - American community.
There are often loners. These are characters who feel detached from the world around them. For example, the main character in some of his stories might be a solitary figure wandering through life. Another type is the disillusioned individual. They have lost faith in the world or in certain ideals.
There are often brave and dashing heroes. These heroes are not afraid to face danger and are very charming. For example, in some stories, they might be a nobleman who uses his wits and courage to overcome his enemies.
There are often strong - willed female characters. They might be fighting against the traditional norms of society, like a woman who wants to pursue education despite family opposition.
There are often young boys. For example, in some stories, the young boys are on a journey of self - discovery. There are also soldiers. Kipling's connection to the military and his view of the military life are reflected through soldier characters. And native characters from the colonies are typical too, showing the local cultures and their relationships with the colonizers.
There are often solitary individuals. These are people who prefer to be alone, spending time in nature and reflecting on life. They are self - reliant characters.
Often, there are characters who are seekers of truth. These are individuals not satisfied with the status quo of knowledge and morality. They are on a quest to understand deeper aspects of existence. There are also characters that represent the 'herd', those who blindly follow the common beliefs and values without question.
In her short stories, you can find characters who are loners, isolated from society either by choice or by circumstances. There are characters with a strong sense of justice, trying to fight against the unfairness in their world. And there are those who are victims of power plays, like the poor being exploited by the rich. Atwood uses these characters to show different aspects of human nature and society.
Children are also common characters in his stories. They represent innocence and sometimes are the ones who see things in a different, more pure way compared to adults. And there are often elderly characters too, who bring wisdom and a connection to the past in the stories.