One of the main themes in 'William Wilson' is the duality of human nature. The two William Wilsons can be seen as representing different aspects of one's self, like the good and the bad. Another theme could be the loss of identity, as the main character struggles with the presence of his double.
In 'William Wilson', the main character, also named William Wilson, is complex. He has a sense of self - awareness that is both disturbing and fascinating. His doppelgänger, the other William Wilson, represents his conscience perhaps. The character is often in conflict with himself, which drives the plot forward.
In the full story of William Wilson, it's a journey into the psyche of a man. The main William Wilson is a person with many vices. The appearance of the second William Wilson is mysterious. It could be seen as his inner voice of reason. As the story progresses, the main character tries to escape from this other Wilson, but he can't. The final confrontation between them is symbolic of his struggle with his own conscience. He can't bear the thought of being constantly watched and judged by this doppelgänger, and this internal conflict ultimately destroys him.
One key element is the doppelgänger. The presence of the other William Wilson is central to the story. Another is the immoral behavior of the main character. His actions drive the story forward as the other Wilson tries to stop him. Also, the sense of self - destruction is important. The main character's inability to accept the other Wilson leads to his own downfall.
In 'The Bear', Faulkner explores themes like manhood and nature. The bear itself is a symbol of the wild, untamed nature. The protagonist's encounters with the bear are a journey of self - discovery. It shows how a boy grows into a man through his experiences in the forest, facing the bear which is a formidable force of nature.
One of his short stories could be about his encounter with nature. For example, he might have a story of a walk in the Lake District. He sees a daffodil field. The sight of the countless daffodils swaying in the breeze fills him with a sense of joy and wonder. This simple moment in nature becomes a profound experience that he later writes about in his poetry, which in a sense can be seen as a short story of his interaction with the natural world.
The story might be about a character named Salvatore and his adventures or experiences. But without reading it, I can't give you more specific details.
It provides a comprehensive look at the evolution and characteristics of the short story genre through Boyd's perspective. You'll get insights into various aspects and key developments.