One common theme is justice. Whether it's the pursuit of true justice when someone is wrongly accused or the miscarriage of justice that occurs in the story. Another theme is guilt. Sometimes the accused might actually be guilty but the story focuses on how they deal with the accusation.
In 'accused short story', themes of prejudice often play a big role. For instance, an individual might be accused because of their race, class, or gender. Also, the theme of redemption can be present. The accused may strive to clear their name and in the process, find a form of redemption. Moreover, power dynamics can be a theme. Those in power may be the ones making the accusations, and the accused may be powerless to fight back immediately.
The theme of truth is also very important. The story is based on a true event, so it will likely explore how the truth was uncovered or hidden. It might show how evidence was manipulated or misinterpreted, and how the real truth finally emerged, which is crucial for understanding the situation of the accused.
The theme of human resilience is quite common. The accused has to deal with a great deal of stress and public scrutiny. Their ability to endure and fight back is a key aspect. Additionally, there may be themes about the flaws in the legal system. If the accused is wrongly convicted, it might highlight problems in the way evidence is collected, witnesses are handled, or the trial process is carried out. And family and friendship are also possible themes, as the support or lack thereof from loved ones can be a significant part of the accused's story.
Another theme is the exploration of trust. When Harry is wrongly accused, he discovers who his true friends are. Some friends may abandon him while others will stand by him no matter what. This is seen in various fanfictions where characters like Hermione and Ron's loyalty is put to the test.
One possible theme could be justice. Whether the 17 - year - old received a fair trial or not.
One common theme is redemption. The heroine has to prove her innocence and in the process, she redeems herself in the eyes of the hero and the society in the story. For example, she might have to face a lot of social ostracism because of the false accusations, but through her actions and the truth coming out, she regains her standing.
Love in the face of adversity is another theme. Despite the false accusations, the heroine often finds love. It could be with a man who initially doubts her but then comes to believe in her innocence. This kind of love story set against the historical context is very appealing. In many such novels, the historical period also plays a role. The social norms and power structures of the time can either be part of the problem causing the false accusations or part of the solution in helping the heroine clear her name. For instance, if it's a time when women had few rights, it makes her fight for justice even more difficult but also more heroic.
One possible theme could be injustice. If the accused is innocent, the story might revolve around how they faced an unjust system.
One common theme could be change. Since 'by and by' implies the passage of time, stories might focus on how characters or situations change over time. For example, a character might start off naive and become wise as the story progresses.
Love is a very common theme. It can be romantic love, like in stories where two characters overcome obstacles to be together. Another common theme is friendship. Stories often show how friends support each other through difficult times. Also, the theme of death and loss is frequently explored, where characters deal with the pain of losing someone or something dear to them.
Love, friendship, and self-discovery are common themes. These often form the core of many short stories, exploring the human experience in various ways.