Another theme is the destruction of families and communities. War tears people apart. In war - torn areas, families are separated, homes are destroyed, and whole communities are displaced. Look at the Middle East conflicts where countless families have been scattered across different countries as refugees.
One common theme is sudden misfortune. For example, like in the story of the mouse and the cheese, things go from good to bad very quickly. Another theme could be the loss of control, as in the boy's dream where his ability to fly was taken away by the chains. Also, the presence of something strange or scary, like the glowing - eyed doll in the girl's story, is often seen.
One common cause is bad decisions. For example, getting involved with the wrong crowd or making impulsive choices like dropping out of school without proper consideration. Another cause could be external factors such as growing up in a dysfunctional family, where there may be abuse or neglect. Also, unforeseen events like natural disasters or serious illnesses can disrupt lives and lead to messed up life stories.
Bullying is very common. Students getting picked on for their looks, grades or just being different. Another common one is academic dishonesty like cheating on tests or plagiarizing. For example, some students copy homework from others all the time.
One messed up war story is from World War I. There were these long and brutal trench battles. Soldiers had to endure not just the constant threat of enemy fire but also the horrendous conditions in the trenches. Rats were everywhere, spreading diseases, and the stench of death was ever - present. Many soldiers developed what we now call shell shock from the continuous bombardment.
Well, reading messed up stories can be a great way to step out of your comfort zone. It exposes you to different perspectives and ideas that you may not encounter in more mainstream literature. It can also improve your critical thinking skills as you analyze the motives and actions of the characters in these often complex and disturbing stories. Additionally, for some people, it's just a form of entertainment. The shock value and the unique storytelling in these stories can be very engaging.
There are messed up bedtime stories because they can also be a form of exploring the darker side of human nature or the unknown. Writers may want to create a sense of mystery and fear, which can be exciting in a different way. It's like how horror movies exist. They appeal to a certain sense of curiosity about the things that scare us, and some bedtime stories have that element too. They might not be suitable for all children, but they have their own place in the world of storytelling.
One common problem could be a convoluted plot. Visual novels often have complex storylines, and when they get'messed up', the plot might be full of holes or contradictions, making it hard for the reader to follow. Another issue could be inconsistent character development. If the characters' personalities or motives change abruptly without proper explanation, it can make the visual novel seem disjointed. Also, poor translation can be a factor. If it's a translated visual novel, inaccurate translations can lead to confusion and a sense of the whole thing being'messed up'.
They often involve unexpected twists. Like in a story where a dog chases its own tail thinking it's another animal. The sudden realization of the dog is both funny and a bit 'messed up'.
One messed up origin story could be that of the Evil Queen in Snow White. She was originally so jealous of Snow White's beauty that she was willing to go to extreme lengths, like using dark magic and ordering a huntsman to kill Snow White. It shows a really dark side of human nature, envy, and the lengths one can go to out of spite.
Stories like 'The Red Shoes' can be considered a bit messed up for a bedtime story. In it, the girl is forced to dance in the red shoes until she is exhausted and near death. Also, the Grimm's Fairy Tales in their original versions are full of rather dark elements. For instance, Cinderella's stepsisters cut off parts of their feet to fit into the glass slipper. These kinds of stories with disturbing or cruel elements can be thought of as messed - up bedtime stories.