What are the common themes in short English horror stories?

Fear of the unknown is a big theme. In 'The Call of Cthulhu' by H.P. Lovecraft, the characters are faced with a terrifying, unknowable entity. Guilt is another theme. In 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's guilt over his actions drives him to insanity. Revenge can also be a theme, like in some stories where the dead come back to take revenge on the living.

One common theme is the supernatural. Stories often involve ghosts, vampires, or other otherworldly creatures. For example, in 'Dracula's Guest' which is related to the Dracula story, the supernatural element of the vampire is very prominent.

Isolation is also a frequent theme. When characters are alone, whether in a big old house or a desolate place, they are more vulnerable to horror. Their isolation heightens the sense of dread because there's no one to immediately help them.

Another common theme is the exploration of human nature. In 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings', we can see different aspects of human nature such as kindness and cruelty through the villagers' treatment of the strange old man.

Another common theme is probably self - discovery. Characters in the stories might embark on a journey, either literally or metaphorically, to find out more about themselves. For example, they may face difficult situations that force them to reevaluate who they are and what they want in life. This is a very relatable theme as many people go through similar experiences in real life.

Love is a very common theme. It can be romantic love, love between family members or friends. Another one is the struggle for survival. Characters often face difficult situations and have to fight to survive. And then, there's the theme of self - discovery. Characters learn more about themselves through their experiences.

Death and decay are also prevalent themes. In 'Frankenstein', the creation of the monster from dead body parts is a clear example of this. The idea of something that should be dead coming to life in a grotesque way is a source of horror. Also, the theme of the unknown is often used. In long horror stories, there are often things that the characters can't understand or explain, like the strange noises and apparitions in haunted houses, which creates a sense of fear and unease.

One common theme could be the struggle for identity. In many short stories, characters are often trying to figure out who they are in the face of various challenges, like in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' where the female protagonist is struggling between her own sense of self and the restrictions placed on her by society. Another common theme might be the exploration of human relationships. For example, in some stories, we see how friendships are tested or how family dynamics can be complex and change over time.

Love and sacrifice is a common theme. Just like in 'The Gift of the Magi', the couple sacrifices their most precious possessions for each other. Another theme is unrequited love, as seen in some stories where one person loves another but the feeling isn't fully reciprocated.

Common themes include the teacher's passion for teaching English. This passion is contagious and spreads to the students. Another is the idea of the teacher as a problem - solver, whether it's dealing with a student's lack of confidence or a classroom management issue. And of course, the celebration of the English language itself, with the teacher as the guide to its beauty and power, is a typical theme.