Isolation and elitism are also common. The characters in these stories usually form a small, exclusive group within an academic setting. They think they are superior in some way, which leads to their downfall in many cases. In 'If We Were Villains', the theater students' clique has this sense of being above others. Also, there's often a sense of the past haunting the present, like in 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' where the past actions of the characters keep coming back to haunt them in the form of the unaging portrait.
One common theme is the pursuit of knowledge at all costs. Characters in these novels are often extremely dedicated to their studies, sometimes to the point of obsession.
Another theme is the sense of elitism and exclusivity. The settings are usually in prestigious academic institutions where only a select few are part of. This creates a sense of mystery and allure. In 'If We Were Villains', the group of Shakespearean actors has a sense of being an elite within the academic drama department, and this affects their relationships.
One common theme is madness. For example, in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's descent into insanity is central. Another theme is death, like in 'The Lottery' where death is an annual ritual. And isolation too, as seen in 'A Rose for Emily' where Emily is isolated from the community.
One common theme is death. Many dark short stories deal with death in various forms, whether it's sudden, violent, or expected. Another is the human psyche. They often explore the darker aspects of the human mind like guilt, as in 'The Black Cat'. Also, fear is a big theme, creating a sense of unease and horror in the reader.
Well, a major theme is the distortion of reality. Dark fantasy short stories often play with the idea of what is real and what is not. There's also the theme of the dark side of human nature. Stories might show how people can be cruel, greedy or self - destructive. And many of these stories have a theme of isolation, whether it's physical or mental, which often adds to the sense of dread and darkness.
Another theme is death and the afterlife. Dark romance often involves the idea of losing a loved one to death and the character's struggle to come to terms with it or their attempts to be reunited in some way. It can also include the idea of loving someone who is already dead or a supernatural being related to death, like a ghost or a reaper.
Well, psychological turmoil is a big theme in 'dark twisted short stories'. Characters usually experience intense mental states like paranoia, guilt, or despair. Morality is another common theme. These stories often question what is right and wrong, blurring the lines. Also, the theme of the uncanny or the abnormal is frequent. Things that are not normal in the world we know, like strange transformations or abnormal behaviors, are often part of these stories. For example, in 'The Metamorphosis', Gregor's transformation into an insect is a very abnormal event that drives the whole 'dark twisted' narrative.
Betrayal is a common theme. For example, one partner might discover that the other has been lying about their identity or past all along, which darkens the love. Another theme is obsession. One person could be overly obsessed with the other, which can lead to a very unbalanced and often dark relationship.
One common theme is death. In many of these stories, death is either the main event or a looming threat. Another theme is madness. Characters often go insane due to the dark situations they are in. For example, in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's madness drives the whole story. Revenge is also a theme, like in 'The Cask of Amontillado' where the protagonist seeks revenge on his friend.
Another theme is the power of love to both heal and destroy. In short dark romance, love can start out as a glimmer of hope in a dark world but then turn into something that consumes and destroys the characters. For instance, a couple might start out trying to save each other from their own personal demons but end up being dragged further into the darkness because of their relationship.