A third theme could be the passage of time and how it affects the understanding of manhood. As the characters age, their perspectives on manhood may change. Maybe a young man starts off with a very simplistic view of manhood, but as he experiences life, he realizes it's a much more complex concept that involves more than just physical strength or bravado.
One possible theme could be self - discovery. The characters might be on a journey to discover what manhood truly means to them.
One possible theme could be self - identity. As a character progresses towards manhood, he might be trying to figure out who he really is. Another theme could be the relationship with society. How does the man in the story fit into the social norms and expectations of manhood in the given context.
I haven't read this story in detail yet. But generally, when analyzing a story, we can start from the characters. Maybe the story explores different aspects of manhood through the actions and growth of its male characters.
I'm sorry, I haven't read 'Manhood' by John Wain in detail. But generally, John Wain is a well - known writer. His works often explore themes related to human nature, society, and personal growth. 'Manhood' might be about the journey of a male character towards maturity, perhaps dealing with relationships, self - discovery, and the challenges of growing up in a particular social context.
Responsibility is a common theme. In many short stories, men are shown taking on tasks or obligations, like providing for a family. Another theme is courage. For example, in adventure - themed short stories, men often face dangerous situations bravely.
One main theme is the power of human strength. John Henry's physical strength allowed him to compete with a machine. Another theme is the fear of technological progress. The steam drill represented new technology that threatened the jobs of the railroad workers. And also, there is the theme of sacrifice. John Henry sacrificed his life to prove that humans could still be better than machines in certain tasks.
One main theme is coming - of - age. Annie John experiences the transition from childhood to adolescence, dealing with changing relationships with her parents, especially her mother. Another theme is identity. As she grows, she struggles to define who she is in the context of her family, her Caribbean culture, and the colonial influence around her.
One main theme is subversion. He often subverts traditional ideas of beauty, propriety, and normalcy. For example, in 'Hairspray', he challenges the norms of body image and race relations in a 1960s setting.
The story also touches on the theme of the male - female relationship. The tinker manipulates Elisa's emotions. Her relationship with her husband is also somewhat distant. Through these relationships, Steinbeck explores how women were marginalized in a male - dominated society. And the chrysanthemums serve as a thread that weaves through all these themes.
Isolation is also a key theme. Elisa is isolated on the ranch. She has few real connections with the outside world. The brief encounter with the tinker shows how starved she is for interaction and recognition beyond her small world.
Mortality is another theme. His works often touch on the inevitability of death and how characters come to terms with it. Through his detailed prose, he makes the reader reflect on the transient nature of life and the significance of our existence.