What are the common themes in a romantic fiction story?

Love, of course, is the most common theme. It often involves the journey of two people falling in love, facing obstacles together, and growing through their relationship. Another theme is self - discovery. Characters in romantic fiction usually learn more about themselves as they fall in love. Also, family and society can play a role as either supportive or opposing forces in the relationship.

Love is a very common theme. It can be various forms of love like passionate, unrequited or eternal love. Another theme is the struggle between individual desires and society's expectations. Characters often face difficulties in following their hearts due to the norms and values of the society they live in. Also, self - discovery is common. Through the experiences in the story, the characters learn more about themselves, especially in relation to love and relationships.

Sacrifice is another theme. Characters may sacrifice their own happiness or safety for the sake of their loved ones or for the greater good during the war. In some World War 2 romantic fictions, a character might give up a chance at love to fight for their country.

Some common themes include long - distance love. Given the often - vast distances and slow communication in historical times, lovers being separated was common. This adds a sense of longing and drama to the story. Also, the theme of social change is prevalent. As the historical events unfold, the characters' relationships are affected by changes in society, like the rise of feminism which could change how a female character approaches her relationship. And family honor is another theme, where the characters' romantic choices are influenced by the need to uphold or break away from family honor.

Another theme is the power of attraction. In stories like 'The Lady with the Dog', the initial physical attraction between the characters leads to a more complex emotional connection. It shows how attraction can be the starting point of a romantic relationship and how it can develop over time. Also, the theme of forbidden love often appears. Sometimes the lovers are from different social classes or are already in other relationships, which creates conflict and adds depth to the story.

Love across divides. Often, characters from different sides of the conflict fall in love, like a Union soldier and a Confederate woman.

One common theme is the discovery of self. In many such stories, the characters, especially the female ones, find out more about themselves through the relationship in the arranged marriage. For example, they might realize their strength or their capacity for love. Another theme is the clash and then the blend of different cultures or family values. If it's an arranged marriage between two different ethnic groups, there will be initial differences but eventually, they come together in harmony.

The theme of sacrifice is also prevalent. Lovers may sacrifice their own interests, dreams, or even safety for the sake of their beloved. In 'Romeo and Juliet', they both sacrifice their lives in the name of love. And the idea of eternal love is often present. Novels like 'The Notebook' depict a love that lasts through the ages, no matter what challenges come their way.

One common theme is the exploration of the darker side of human nature. In a dark romantic short story, characters might grapple with their inner demons, like envy, greed or excessive pride. Another theme is often the blurring of the lines between good and evil. It's not always clear who the 'good' and 'bad' characters are. Also, death and decay are frequently present, whether it's the physical decay of a setting or the impending death of a character, which adds to the overall gloomy and mysterious atmosphere.

Isolation and acceptance are also prevalent. Sometimes the characters feel isolated in a society that may not fully accept their relationship. The journey towards finding acceptance, either from family, friends or society at large, is an important part of the story. Also, desire is a big theme, the physical and sexual desire between the characters is often explored in an erotic way.