What are the common themes in a novel about the mother of a son in school shooting fiction?

One such novel could be 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' by Lionel Shriver. It delves deep into the relationship between a mother and her son who commits a heinous act at school. The story is told from the mother's perspective as she tries to come to terms with what her son has done and reflects on her own role in his upbringing.

One common theme is the exploration of the shooter's motives. It could be due to bullying, mental illness, or a feeling of being an outsider. For example, in many books, the shooter has been a victim of long - term bullying, which drives them to extreme actions.

One common theme is the search for the root causes. This could be things like bullying, mental illness, or a broken family life that might lead a character to commit such an act in the fictional stories.

Another theme is the impact on the community. After a school shooting, the whole community is affected - the families of the victims, the students who survive, and the teachers. In 'This Is Where It Ends', we see how different members of the school community react and try to come to terms with the tragedy.

A common thread is the impact on families. The families of the victims go through extreme grief. They may have to deal with medical bills, long - term care for injured family members, and the emotional pain of seeing their loved ones suffer. In addition, the theme of heroism often emerges. Some students or teachers may try to protect others during the shooting, and their brave actions become part of the overall story. Another theme is the long - term struggle to regain a sense of normalcy, whether it's returning to school or being able to function in society without constant fear.

Trauma is a very common theme. Victims often experience intense fear during the shooting and long - lasting psychological effects like PTSD afterwards.

One common theme is growth. The son might grow and develop under the mother's influence. For example, he could learn important values like honesty and kindness from her.

One common theme is the issue of bullying. Often, shooters have been victims of bullying in high school, which can lead to feelings of anger and revenge. Another theme is mental health problems. Many shooters have been found to have undiagnosed or untreated mental illnesses. Also, access to firearms is a big factor. In some cases, shooters were able to obtain guns easily, which made the shootings possible.

One common theme is sacrifice. Mothers often sacrifice their own needs and desires for their sons' well - being. For example, a mother might give up her career opportunities to take care of her son.

Another theme is growth. The son usually learns important lessons from the mother or the adventures they have together. In some stories, the mother also learns from the son's new - found courage or perspective. For instance, in a story where they travel through time, the son shows the mother how to be more open - minded to different eras and ways of life. This mutual growth enriches their relationship and the story as a whole. And often, there's a theme of discovery, whether it's about a new world, new powers, or new aspects of themselves.