One common theme is justice or the lack thereof. Sometimes, the hanged woman is a victim of false accusations or a corrupt system. Another theme is revenge. The hanged woman might come back as a spirit to seek revenge on those who wronged her. For example, if she was wrongly accused and hanged, she may haunt the people involved.
One well - known short story involving a hanged woman could be 'The Black Cat' by Edgar Allan Poe. In this story, there are elements that lead to a rather dark and disturbing situation where a woman meets a tragic end, although it's not the sole focus. Another could be some of the folktales that have been passed down through generations in different cultures which might feature such a theme.
Here's a short story. There was a girl in a superstitious village. She had strange abilities that made the villagers fear her. They thought she was a witch. So, they hanged her on a large oak tree on the outskirts of the village. Her long black hair swayed in the wind as she took her last breath. After that, the village was plagued by misfortunes. Crops failed, and animals died. Some villagers believed it was the curse of the hanged girl, while others tried to forget what they had done, but her memory haunted the village forever.
In the 'the hanged man short story', perhaps there is a character who discovers the hanged man. This character could be a passer - by or someone specifically sent to check on the hanged man. There may also be a figure of authority in the story, like a judge or a leader who is responsible for the decision of the hanging. And of course, the hanged man is the most prominent character, and his story, his past, and his reasons for being in that situation would likely be explored through the other characters' interactions and the overall narrative.
The main theme could be sacrifice. The hanged man often represents a figure that has given up something or is in a state of suspension, which might imply sacrificing one's normal state for a greater purpose.
The story of Anne Boleyn is quite famous. She was the second wife of King Henry VIII of England. In 1536, she was beheaded, which was a form of execution similar to hanging in its finality. She was accused of adultery, incest and treason. Her story has been the subject of much historical study and many fictional retellings, as it was a significant event in the English Reformation period.
In some historical accounts from the Middle Ages, there were women who were hanged for witchcraft. For example, in certain European villages, if a woman was suspected of being a witch, often with little evidence other than superstition and rumors, she might be hanged. These were tragic cases where fear and ignorance led to the unjust death of many women.
The moral might be about the power of forgiveness. Even though the hanged girl was wronged, if the villagers had realized their mistake and tried to make amends, perhaps the hauntings or misfortunes that followed could have been avoided. It shows that owning up to our wrongdoings and seeking forgiveness can have a positive impact on a community.
The main plot could be centered around the Hanged Man's existence in the Oz world. Maybe he has a special role or a past that is gradually uncovered. There might be other characters in the story who interact with the Hanged Man, leading to different situations like solving a riddle or facing a danger together. It could also be about the Hanged Man's journey in Oz, either physically or in terms of self - discovery.