What are the main themes in 'blow up and other short stories'?

I'm not entirely sure without reading the book more closely, but likely there are characters like the photographer in 'blow up'. He seems to be a central figure in that particular story, his actions and observations driving the narrative forward.

One characteristic is the intensification of emotions. At first, the characters may be feeling normal, but as the story progresses, the emotions blow up. Maybe a character is a bit sad at the beginning, but then through a series of events, that sadness turns into overwhelming despair or rage. Also, the plot usually has a point of explosion. It could be a revelation of a long - hidden truth, like in a mystery - type 'blow up short story' where the identity of a murderer is revealed and it blows up all the previous assumptions in the story. This can be very engaging for readers as it keeps them on their toes.

I'm not sure about the main themes in 'and other short stories' as I haven't read it. It could potentially have themes such as friendship, family, or the struggle for survival, which are common in many short story collections.

One of the main themes is the social hierarchy. In the stories, we can see how characters are affected by their position in society. For example, in 'The Overcoat', the protagonist's low social status leads to his misfortunes. Another theme is the human condition, like the struggle, the hopes and the despair of the characters. Also, the concept of appearance versus reality is present. Characters often present a certain facade, but underneath there are different truths.

One of the main themes is the idea of appearance vs. reality. In 'The Necklace', Madame Loisel is so concerned with appearing wealthy that she borrows a necklace to fit in at a high - society event, only to find out later the high cost of that pretense. Another theme could be the role of social class and how it affects people's lives and self - esteem.

One common theme could be transformation. For example, a character might transform the blow up doll into a magical or extraordinary object through the inflation process. Another theme could be adventure, where the inflated doll becomes a vehicle or a guide in a strange land.

One main theme could be the impact of war on women. In the title story 'Girls at War', it might show how women are affected by the chaos and destruction of war. Another theme could be female empowerment as the 'girls' in the title might imply that women are not just passive victims but can also be active participants in difficult situations.

One main theme is mortality. As the title 'they die by dawn' might suggest, death and the passage of time are important aspects. Another could be the search for identity, as the characters in the short stories often seem to be on a journey to discover who they really are.

One main theme is redemption. In 'A Christmas Carol', Scrooge transforms from a miserly, cold - hearted man to a kind and generous one. Another theme is the importance of kindness and charity, as shown through the various characters' actions during the Christmas season.

I think themes such as isolation and loneliness are in 'Woman in the Dark and Other Short Stories'. The woman in the title perhaps feels isolated in the dark, which could be a metaphor for her emotional state. There may also be themes of transformation, where characters change throughout the stories, either due to external events or internal realizations.