What are some common themes in classic stories?

Often, the theme of loyalty is present. This can be loyalty to a religious belief, a partner, or a set of moral values. For instance, in some traditional tales, a betrothed individual remains chaste out of loyalty to their future spouse. Also, the idea of sacrifice for the sake of chastity is seen. A character might sacrifice personal desires or opportunities in order to maintain their chastity.

One common theme is wisdom. Old people stories often convey the wisdom gained through a long life, like the importance of hard work. Another theme is family values. They usually show how family should support and love each other. And also, moral lessons are common. For example, stories might teach about honesty, such as the tale of the boy who always told the truth and was rewarded for it in the end.

Common themes include the struggle for survival. In the old west, resources could be scarce, and people had to be tough. There was also the theme of honor among men. A cowboy's word was his bond. And the theme of community was important too. Small towns in the west had to support each other. For example, when there was a drought or a bandit threat, they would come together.

One common theme is the supernatural. For example, in 'The Monkey's Paw', the paw has magical powers that bring misfortune. Another theme is madness, like in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' where the main character goes insane. Death is also a frequent theme, as seen in 'The Tell - Tale Heart' where the murder leads to the narrator's psychological breakdown.

Common themes in classic fantasy short stories are transformation and the allure of the otherworldly. Transformation can be physical, like a character turning into a different creature, or it can be more about a change in character, such as a selfish person becoming selfless. The allure of the otherworldly is what draws readers into these stories. It's about exploring strange lands, meeting magical beings, and experiencing things that are completely different from our own reality.

One common theme is karma. It's a fundamental concept in Indian culture, and many short stories illustrate how one's actions in this life or past lives determine their present situation. Another theme is the power of love and devotion, often shown through the relationships between characters. Also, the search for spiritual enlightenment is a frequent theme.

Love. For example, in many stories, family members show their love for each other during Christmas. It could be through giving gifts or spending time together.

One common theme is the battle between good and evil. For example, in many classic stories, the hero has to fight against a dark force. Another theme is the power of magic. It often plays a crucial role in the story, like in 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice' - type stories.

Longing and unrequited love are also prevalent. Sometimes the lovers in classic romantic short stories can't be together due to various reasons such as social class differences or family objections. For example, in some stories set in historical periods, a lower - class person may long for an upper - class individual but their love can't be fulfilled because of the strict social hierarchy.

The common themes in classic gothic horror stories are manifold. The concept of the double or doppelgänger is one. It adds to the sense of unease as it blurs the lines between self and other. Darkness, both literal and metaphorical, is another key theme. This can be the physical darkness of a catacomb or a forest at night, but also the moral and psychological darkness of the characters. Gothic horror also often deals with family secrets and the sins of the past that come back to haunt the present generation.