What are the common themes in a Chinese Ghost Bride short story?

Once upon a time, in a small Chinese village, there was a story of a ghost bride. A girl named Mei was arranged to be married. But on the day of her wedding, she was drowned in a river accident. Her spirit remained restless. Years later, a traveling scholar came to the village. One night, he saw a figure in a bridal gown. It was Mei's ghost. She told the scholar her sad story. The scholar, out of pity, painted her a portrait and placed it in the local temple. It was believed that this act helped the ghost bride find peace.

One common theme is love against all odds. Usually, the substitute bride starts in a difficult situation, but she often finds true love in unexpected ways.

One common theme is the struggle against traditional family values. In many such novels, the reluctant bride has to face the pressure from her family to marry someone she may not love. For instance, her family might choose a groom for economic or social status reasons.

The 'ghost bride short story' could be about many things. It might be about a young woman who becomes a ghost bride, perhaps due to some unfulfilled vow or tragic event in her life. Maybe she was betrothed to someone and died before the wedding, and now her spirit lingers in a state between the living and the dead, still attached to the idea of marriage.

A common element is the presence of a female spirit as the ghost bride. There's often a tragic backstory to her death, like dying before her wedding day.

One common theme could be the interaction between the human and the supernatural. Ghosts often play a significant role in Chinese ghost stories, and in this one, it might be about the relationship that crosses the boundary between the living and the dead.

The themes usually include forbidden love. Since it's between a human and a ghost, it's not something that is easily accepted in the normal world. Also, there is the theme of karma. The situation of the ghost, whether she is trapped in the ghost world or able to move on, is often related to her past deeds in life. And of course, the theme of eternal love. The love between the two is so strong that it lasts forever, not being hindered by death or the passage of time. It shows that in Chinese culture, love can be a very powerful force that defies normal limitations.

One common theme is revenge. Ghosts often return to seek vengeance for their unjust deaths. For example, in many stories, a wronged woman who was mistreated during her life might come back as a ghost to punish those who wronged her. Another theme is love that transcends death. There are tales of lovers where one has passed away but still tries to be with their living beloved in some way.

One common theme is the idea of karma. Hungry ghosts are often seen as the result of bad deeds in life. For example, those who were greedy or cruel may become hungry ghosts, doomed to eternal hunger as a form of punishment.

One common theme is the clash between the living and the dead. The living often don't believe in ghosts at first and then are forced to confront the supernatural. For example, in many stories, the characters start off being skeptical until they experience something truly strange.