One common theme is the idea of an old, haunted place like an abandoned house or a dark alley. These places are often full of mystery and fear.
One common theme is the haunted house. There are often old, dilapidated houses in small towns that are said to be haunted by the spirits of former residents. Another theme is the vengeful spirit. Maybe someone was wronged in the past in the small town, and their spirit lingers to seek revenge. Also, lost love can be a theme. A tragic love story might end with one of the lovers becoming a ghost, still pining for their beloved in the small town.
One common element is a spooky location like an old house or an abandoned place. For example, in many small ghost stories, the action often takes place in a place that has been long forgotten or has a dark history. Another element is the presence of strange noises or cold feelings. Just like in the story where the girl heard noises from the old house.
Loss is a common theme. It could be the loss of a loved one, like a pet or a family member. For example, a story about a child losing his pet rabbit due to illness.
A third common theme is creativity. Small wives are often shown as coming up with unique solutions to problems. They might not have the physical strength of others, but they use their brains. For instance, a small wife who wants to redecorate her home but can't move heavy furniture on her own. So, she rearranges the small items and uses paint and fabric to give the room a whole new look without having to move the big stuff.
One common theme could be the sense of community. In small towns, everyone knows everyone, so when there is a death in the family, the whole town is affected. Another theme might be grief and how it is processed differently by different individuals in the family and the town. Also, the idea of family secrets could be a theme, as a death sometimes reveals things that were previously hidden.
One common theme is the idea of unrequited love that persists even after death. For example, a ghost may be in love with someone who is alive and is trying to win their love. Another theme is the concept of sacrifice. The ghost might sacrifice their chance to move on to the afterlife for the sake of their love.
In slave ghost stories, the theme of lost identity can be seen. Since slaves were stripped of so much of their culture and individuality during life, their ghosts may be searching for that lost part of themselves. Another is the theme of connection. Their spirits might try to connect with the living descendants of slaves to pass on their stories and the strength they had. And the theme of the afterlife is present too, as it shows how their spirits exist in a different realm after death.
One common theme is revenge. Ghosts in Chinese ghost stories often come back to take revenge on those who wronged them during their lifetime. Another theme is love that transcends death. There are stories where the love between a human and a ghost persists despite the barriers. And also, moral lessons are common. For example, if someone is greedy or cruel, they may be haunted by ghosts as a form of punishment.
One common theme is revenge. Ghosts in Mesopotamian stories often return to seek vengeance for wrongs done to them during their lifetime. For example, if a person was unjustly killed, their ghost might haunt the killer or those related to the killer.