Well, in sad western stories, a prevalent theme is the struggle against nature. The west was a tough place, and characters had to fight against droughts, floods, and wild animals. This often led to losses and sadness. Another theme is the breakdown of relationships. Due to the hard living conditions, friendships and family ties could be strained. In stories like 'The Red Pony', the relationship between the boy and his father is affected by the difficulties they face. And finally, there's the theme of the end of an era. As the west was being tamed, the old wild ways were disappearing, and this sense of loss is a common thread in many sad western stories.
Well, the theme of lost opportunities is quite common. In sad love stories, the characters may miss the chance to be together for various reasons, like hesitation or external forces. For instance, in some stories, a couple may have the opportunity to run away together but one of them fails to act in time. Also, the theme of sacrifice is often seen. A character might sacrifice their own happiness or even their life for the sake of their loved one, which makes the story sad. Another common one is the passage of time. As time goes by, love may fade or the lovers may change, resulting in a sad end to the relationship.
Loss is a very common theme. It could be the loss of a loved one, like a person's death or someone leaving. For example, when a parent passes away, it leaves a huge void in a child's life.
One common theme is the idea of the hero's journey. For example, in many western stories like 'The Lord of the Rings', the hero Frodo goes on a long and dangerous adventure to destroy the One Ring. Another theme is the concept of good versus evil, where the good characters fight against the bad ones to save the day. Also, the theme of self - discovery is often seen, where characters learn more about themselves through their experiences in the story.
One common theme is the individual's struggle against society. For example, in many stories, characters fight against the norms and expectations of their community. Another theme is the concept of fate. Characters often find themselves at the mercy of forces they can't control.
One common theme is revenge. Ghosts often come back to seek revenge for some wrong done to them when they were alive. Another is lost love. Some ghost stories feature a spirit that is pining for a lost lover. And then there's the idea of a haunted place, like an old mansion or a cemetery.
One common theme is the battle between good and evil. For example, in 'The Lord of the Rings', the Fellowship is on a quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat Sauron, the embodiment of evil. Another theme is magic and the supernatural. Wizards, witches, and magical creatures often play important roles. Also, the hero's journey is a prevalent theme. A young or ordinary character rises to face great challenges and becomes a hero, like in 'Harry Potter' where Harry goes from an orphan boy to the savior of the wizarding world.
One common theme is the struggle against dark forces. In sad fantasy stories, often the main character has to fight against some sort of evil, and in the process, they may lose a lot. For instance, in 'The Lord of the Rings', Frodo's journey is full of sadness as he battles the forces of Sauron. Another theme is the power of hope in the face of despair. Even though the story may be sad, there is always a glimmer of hope that keeps the characters going. And the theme of sacrifice is also present. Characters may sacrifice themselves for the greater good, which adds to the sadness of the story.
Unfulfilled dreams also feature often. Consider the girl who couldn't build her castle with her blocks because she had to leave them behind. It represents the disappointment when plans are thwarted and dreams associated with the blocks can't be realized.
One common theme is betrayal. When one partner cheats on the other, it often leads to a very sad break - up. Another is growing apart, like when two people have different life goals and can't seem to find a common path anymore.
One common theme is love and loss. Just like in the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, their deep love was torn apart by fate. Another theme is hubris or excessive pride. Narcissus' extreme self - love led to his downfall and the heartbreak of Echo. Also, betrayal is often seen, like Loki's betrayal of Baldr in Norse mythology.