Conflict is also very common. Differences in values, expectations, and generational gaps often lead to conflicts between mothers and daughters. Like in 'Two Kinds', the mother wants the daughter to be a prodigy in a certain way, but the daughter resists.
Another theme is the search for identity. The daughter often tries to define herself apart from her mother, but at the same time realizes that her mother has a big influence on her identity. In stories like 'Two Kinds', the daughter struggles with the identity her mother wants for her and the one she wants for herself.
A third common theme is growth and understanding. As the story progresses, the characters, especially the daughters, often grow and come to a better understanding of their mothers. In 'A Pair of Tickets', the daughter's journey to China leads to a new understanding of her mother and their relationship.
A common theme is also the passing on of values. Mothers usually try to pass on their values, whether it's cultural, moral or family - related, to their daughters. Sometimes the daughters resist, but in the end, they may come to appreciate these values. Also, the theme of sacrifice is there. Mothers often sacrifice a lot for their daughters, and this is often explored in mother - daughter short stories.
Acceptance is a common theme. The mother has to accept herself as a lesbian and the daughter has to accept her mother's identity. Another theme is love. Despite any external difficulties, the love between them remains strong. For example, in some stories, the mother's family might initially be against their relationship, but their love overcomes this.
One common theme is misunderstandings. For example, when the daughter misinterprets what the mother says and does something completely hilarious as a result. Like when my mom said 'dress up' for a family dinner, I thought she meant in a princess costume. I showed up in a tiara and a big ballgown while everyone else was in normal clothes.
The theme of a hidden past also frequently shows up. It could be that the mother has a dark secret from her past that comes back to haunt them both. This secret could be related to a curse, an old wrong - doing, or something she was involved in that has now put both her and her daughter in danger. This creates a sense of mystery and horror as the daughter slowly discovers the truth about her mother and the situation they are in.
One common theme is the cycle of life. The midwife is often associated with bringing new life into the world, while the mother - daughter relationship represents the continuation of family and the passing down of knowledge or values from one generation to the next. For example, a mother might pass on her wisdom about motherhood to her daughter with the help of the midwife's experiences.
Understanding is a significant theme. In many father - daughter short stories, the two characters start off not fully understanding each other. The daughter may think her father is too strict or old - fashioned, while the father may not understand his daughter's modern ideas. But as the story progresses, they come to understand each other better. This can be shown through conversations, shared experiences, or just observing each other's actions over time.
Conflict is also often explored. There might be differences in opinions, like in a story where the daughter wants to pursue an artistic career but the mother thinks it's not stable. They argue and have to find a way to understand each other. This kind of conflict adds depth to the relationship in the story.
One common theme is the generation gap. For example, in the movie 'Freaky Friday', the mother and daughter switch bodies and come to understand each other's perspectives better due to the differences in their generations and personalities.