What are the common themes in classic novels?

One common theme is independence. Cowgirls in these novels are often shown as self - reliant individuals who can take care of themselves in the tough western environment. For example, they can ride horses, tend to livestock, and defend their property on their own.

One common theme is unrequited love. In many classic tragic romances, one character loves another who either does not return the feelings or is unable to due to external circumstances like family obligations or social status.

Loss is a very common theme. Like in 'The Bridge to Terabithia', it's the loss of a friend. This makes kids feel the pain of having someone important taken away from them.

Friendship is a common theme. In boarding schools, students form strong bonds as they live together away from their families. For example, in 'Tom Brown's Schooldays', Tom's friendships are crucial to his experience at school.

A common theme is the struggle for survival. In novels like 'The Call of the Wild', the characters, be it human or animal, have to fight against the harsh elements of the wilderness to stay alive. Another theme is the idea of self - discovery. For example, in 'Walden', Thoreau goes into the woods to find out more about himself and his place in the world. Also, the relationship between man and nature is often explored, like in 'Moby - Dick' where Ahab's obsession with the whale shows a complex and often destructive relationship with the natural world.

Death is a common theme. In a 1928 horror story, death could be presented in many forms, like a vengeful ghost seeking revenge for its untimely death. Another theme is the battle between good and evil. Often, the good is represented by the innocent characters trying to survive against the evil forces which could be a demonic presence or a mad scientist.

Love is a very common theme. In 'Romeo and Juliet', the love between the two main characters drives the whole story. It shows the power and sometimes the tragedy of love.

The common themes include the hero's transformation. He starts as an ordinary person perhaps, but through the quest to rescue the princess from the dragon, he becomes a true hero. Another is the theme of the damsel in distress. The princess is in need of rescue, which sets the whole story in motion. Also, there's often a theme of the magical or otherworldly elements. The dragon is often a magical creature, and the hero may encounter other magical things on his journey.

The theme of sacrifice also often appears. In 'A Tale of Two Cities', Sydney Carton sacrifices himself for the woman he loves, Lucie Manette. He takes the place of Charles Darnay at the guillotine. His selfless act is a great example of love that involves sacrifice in classic literature.

One common theme is the fear of the unknown. In many classic horror stories, there are elements that are not fully understood, like strange creatures or dark forces. Another theme is death. It often lurks in the background or is a central event. And the theme of the loss of control. The characters usually find themselves in situations where they can't control what's happening around them.