What are the common themes in short stories about man is ungrateful?

One short story could be about a man who is helped by a kind stranger when he is in a difficult situation, like being lost in a strange city. The stranger gives him food, shelter and directions. But later, when the man becomes successful, he completely forgets about the stranger and doesn't even return the kindness when the stranger is in need. This shows the man's ungrateful nature.

In the 'Grateful Animals, Ungrateful Man' story, it typically revolves around a contrast in behavior. The animals in the story display selfless acts of assistance towards the man. They could be providing food, shelter, or saving him from harm. However, the man, being ungrateful, disregards the animals' good deeds. This can be seen as a cautionary tale. It warns people about the importance of being grateful and having good moral character. It also reflects on the idea that kindness should be reciprocated, not exploited. It's a story that has been passed down through generations in different forms, teaching valuable lessons about human nature and proper behavior.

One common element is lack of appreciation for the effort. When someone spends time and energy to select or create a Christmas gift, but the recipient doesn't value it. For instance, a mother bakes cookies for her grown - up son, but he just ignores them. Another is comparison. People compare their gifts to others' and feel dissatisfied. Say, a child sees their sibling got a bigger present and becomes ungrateful. Also, ingratitude often stems from a self - centered attitude. Those in ungrateful Christmas stories are often more concerned about themselves and what they want rather than being thankful for what they received.

One common theme is identity. For example, in stories where the man is a mysterious figure, his true identity is often a central question.

Power struggle is a common theme. For example, in 'The Most Dangerous Game', the two men are fighting for power over life and death. Revenge is another, like in 'The Cask of Amontillado'. And pride, as in 'To Build a Fire', where the man's pride leads to his conflict with the unforgiving nature which can be seen as an opponent like another man.

Moral ambiguity is another theme. Sometimes it's not clear who is in the right. In 'The Hound of the Baskervilles', Stapleton's motives are not clear at first, and there is a sense of moral gray area as Holmes tries to figure out if he is the one hunting Sir Henry. Is he just a madman, or does he have some claim? This moral uncertainty adds depth to the'man hunting man' dynamic.

Survival is also a theme. In some man vs man short stories, the characters are in a situation where they have to fight each other to survive. It could be in a post - apocalyptic setting or a situation like being stranded on an island. They compete for limited resources or for their own safety. And of course, pride often plays a role. A character's excessive pride might make them engage in a man vs man conflict, not wanting to back down or admit defeat.

Conflict over identity can be a theme. In some stories, characters are in conflict because they represent different identities or social classes. In 'A & P', Sammy's identity as a young rebel clashes with his boss's identity as a rule - following authority figure. Another theme is the struggle for survival, not just in a physical sense but also in a social or emotional sense. In 'The Interlopers', the two men are initially in a struggle for territorial survival, but then their situation changes to a more emotional survival as they face the unexpected together. And misunderstanding is also a common theme. When characters misunderstand each other's intentions, it can lead to man vs man conflict as in some stories where miscommunication causes enmity between two people.

One common theme is heroism. Spider Man always steps up to save the day, whether it's from common criminals or super - villains.

Another theme is mortality. Since old men are closer to the end of their lives, stories about them can explore the idea of death, like how they face it or what they leave behind. In 'The Old Man and the Sea', the old man's struggle can be seen as a fight against his own mortality in a way.