One of the common themes is the coming - of - age story. 'The Catcher in the Rye' is a great example. Holden Caulfield's journey through adolescence and his struggle to find his place in the world is a classic coming - of - age theme. Additionally, many classic novels deal with the theme of justice. In 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Atticus Finch battles for justice in a racially divided society. And then there's the theme of death and mortality, which is explored in 'A Tale of Two Cities' during the French Revolution.
The theme of generosity also stands out. In 'The Gift of the Magi', the couple's selfless acts of giving are central. And in many classic Christmas novels, there's a sense of hope. For example, in stories where characters are going through tough times but find new hope during the Christmas season.
One common theme is the struggle for freedom. In 'The Count of Monte Cristo', Edmond Dantès constantly devises plans to break free from prison and later, to regain his lost freedom in society. Prisoners in these novels often face many obstacles in their quest for freedom.
Love and relationships are also common themes. For example, in 'Chandrakanta', there are complex love stories between the characters, often intertwined with the power struggles in the fictional kingdom. These relationships add depth and emotion to the stories.
The theme of ambition is evident in 'Great Expectations'. Pip has great ambition to become a gentleman, which drives many of his actions. In other classic novels such as 'The Great Gatsby', Gatsby's ambition to win Daisy back is a major driving force. Another theme is the power of the past. In 'Great Expectations', Pip's past constantly haunts him and influences his present. In 'Rebecca', the past of Manderley and Maxim de Winter's first wife has a huge impact on the present situation. These themes are what make these classic novels so thought - provoking.
One of the main themes is often the exploration of human nature. Tolstoy delved deep into the characters' souls, showing their virtues and flaws. Another theme is the social hierarchy and class differences, as seen in works like 'War and Peace'. Family and relationships also play a crucial role, with complex family dynamics being a common element.
Revenge, of course. In most classic revenge novels, the main character is driven by a strong desire to get back at those who have wronged them. Another common theme is justice. The act of revenge is often seen as a way to achieve justice, especially when the legal system has failed. For example, in 'The Count of Monte Cristo', Edmond Dantès takes revenge because the law didn't punish his enemies fairly. And there is often the theme of redemption as well. Sometimes, the act of revenge leads the character to either find redemption or lose themselves further in their quest for vengeance.
In many of these classic English novels, themes vary widely. For example, 'Great Expectations' has themes of ambition and class mobility. 'Oliver Twist' focuses on the hardships of the poor and social injustice. 'David Copperfield' also touches on themes of growing up and facing life's challenges.
Well, in the 5 classic gothic novels, the theme of the supernatural is prominent. In 'The Castle of Otranto', the sudden appearances of giant helmets and other strange phenomena set the tone. In 'Frankenstein', the creation of a living being through scientific means is a supernatural - like concept. 'Dracula' is all about the supernatural vampire. Regarding human nature, in 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', it shows how a person can have two very different sides. And in 'Wuthering Heights', the extreme emotions of love and hate and the characters' actions based on those emotions are a key part of the exploration of human nature. The theme of decay and death also runs through these novels, whether it's the decaying castle in 'The Castle of Otranto' or the death - haunted atmosphere in 'Dracula'.
The main themes include redemption. Many of his characters are on a journey to redeem themselves from their past sins or misdeeds. In 'Notes from Underground', the underground man is in a sense seeking some form of redemption from his self - imposed isolation. Madness and sanity are also themes. Dostoyevsky's characters often straddle the line between the two, and this blurring makes for a very intense exploration of the human mind. And then there is the theme of family. Family relationships are often complicated and fraught with tension in his novels, as seen in the Karamazov family in 'The Brothers Karamazov'.