What are the common themes in horror short stories?

Well, in '20 short horror stories', a recurring theme is isolation. Characters often find themselves alone in spooky situations, like in the old asylum or lost in the forest. This isolation heightens the sense of fear. Madness is another theme. Some characters go insane due to the terrifying things they experience, such as in the underground tunnels story. And death is a common theme too. Whether it's the threat of death or the mystery surrounding it, as in the story of the cursed object that seems to bring death closer to those who touch it.

Well, isolation is a theme. In many horror short stories, the characters are often alone or in isolated places. This can be like in 'The Cask of Amontillado' where Fortunato is trapped deep in the catacombs. Supernatural elements are also common. Stories such as 'Ligeia' have elements of the supernatural, like the return of the dead wife. And guilt is another theme. In 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's guilt over his murder is part of what makes the story so horrifying.

One common theme was the supernatural. A lot of the stories had elements like ghosts, demons, or otherworldly creatures.

Fear of the unknown is a common theme. Many stories play on the idea that there are things out there we can't understand, like in stories with supernatural elements.

One common theme is the exploration of human nature. These stories often show the dark side of humanity, like greed, envy, and pride. For example, in many stories, characters' actions driven by these vices lead to their downfall. Another theme is the fear of the unknown. The allegorical elements might represent something mysterious and terrifying that lies beyond our understanding. For instance, in some stories, an unknown force in the forest could be an allegory for the unknowable aspects of life.

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.

Common themes include the breakdown of society. Political unrest and bad governance can lead to chaos, and this is often explored in political horror short stories. In 'We', the highly regimented society starts to show cracks. Fear is another theme. The fear of the unknown political forces, of being punished for disobedience. In a story like 'The Handmaid's Tale', the handmaids live in constant fear of the regime. And the theme of propaganda is also there. The political powers use propaganda to manipulate the masses, which is a key aspect in many such stories as it adds to the horror of being deceived by those in power.

One common theme is the insignificance of humanity. In these stories, humans are often shown as tiny and powerless in the face of the vast and incomprehensible cosmos. Another theme is the unknowable. Cosmic horror often features things that are beyond human understanding, like alien entities or strange dimensions. Madness is also a common theme. Characters often go mad when they are exposed to the cosmic horrors, as their minds can't handle the truth of what they've witnessed.

One common theme is the search for meaning. In these stories, characters often struggle to find purpose in a chaotic or indifferent world. For example, in Kafka's works, the protagonists are constantly facing situations that seem to defy logic and normalcy, making them question their place in the universe. Another theme is isolation. Characters may be physically or emotionally cut off from others, like in 'The Outsider' by Lovecraft. This isolation intensifies the horror as they face their existential fears alone.

The connection between the natural world and the supernatural is also very common. Indigenous cultures often have a deep respect for nature, and in their horror stories, nature can be a source of both beauty and horror. A forest might seem normal during the day but at night become a place full of terrifying spirits or entities.