What are the common themes in long tragic stories?

One common theme is loss. It could be the loss of a loved one, like in many stories where a character's family member dies suddenly. Another is unrequited love. For example, a character may love someone deeply but that love is not returned, leading to great sorrow.

Fate is often a theme too. In the story of Romeo and Juliet, their families' feud led to their tragic end. It seemed as if no matter what they did, fate was against them. Also, in many true tragic stories, there is a sense of broken dreams. For instance, when a young athlete suffers a career - ending injury, all their dreams of winning championships are shattered.

In tragic short stories, the theme of isolation is quite prevalent. Characters may be isolated physically, like being in a remote place, or emotionally, such as being shunned by society or feeling misunderstood. Guilt is another common theme. A character may carry the burden of a past mistake or sin, which haunts them throughout the story and ultimately leads to their tragedy. Additionally, the theme of powerlessness is often there. The characters feel that they have no control over their lives or the events that are happening to them, and this lack of control drives them towards a tragic end.

One common theme is loss. It could be the loss of a loved one, like in the story of a child losing their parent in an accident. Another theme is unfulfilled dreams, such as an athlete who gets injured and can no longer pursue their sports career.

One common theme is societal rejection. In many cases, the society in which the characters live doesn't accept homosexuality. For example, in historical settings, gay relationships were often stigmatized. Another theme is unrequited love. Sometimes, one of the partners may not be fully committed or may be afraid to embrace the relationship due to external pressures. Loss is also a big theme. This could be the loss of the relationship itself, like in a break - up, or the loss of the chance to be together openly.

One common theme is unrequited love. Since ghosts are often in a different realm or state, their love for a living person may not be fully reciprocated. For example, in many stories, the living person might be initially attracted but then repulsed by the ghost's true nature.

Social class differences also play a big role. For example, in 'The Tale of Genji', Genji's high - class status and the social rules associated with it create barriers in his love affairs. The lovers may not be able to be together because of the gap in social standing.

One common theme is the power of social hierarchy. In many Japanese tragic love stories, the lovers are from different social classes, like a rich and a poor person or a noble and a commoner. Society's rules and expectations often prevent them from being together, as seen in 'The Love Suicides at Sonezaki'.

Another theme is sacrifice. Couples may sacrifice things important to them, like in 'The Gift of the Magi', but sometimes these sacrifices lead to a sense of loss that is part of the tragic aspect. Social barriers also play a role. If a couple is from different social classes, like in some period - set stories, they may face opposition that results in a tragic end to their relationship.

One common theme is the hero's fatal flaw. In many stories, like 'Macbeth', Macbeth's ambition leads him to commit heinous acts and ultimately to his downfall. This flaw within the character is often what drives the tragic events.