Well, I think a significant theme is the power of perception. People in the town initially perceive Tibbs in a certain way because of his race. But as the story unfolds, their perception changes. Also, the theme of perseverance is strong. Tibbs doesn't let the hostile environment stop him from doing his job and getting to the bottom of the mystery.
He's a detective. He's African - American, which is a big part of his character as it shapes how he is treated in the story. He has to use his wits and his experience to solve the case at hand. He's a complex character, not just a detective but also a man dealing with the social and racial issues of the time. He's determined, smart, and has a strong sense of justice that drives him to get to the truth, no matter what obstacles are in his way.
The themes include identity. The black detective has to constantly assert his identity and worth in a world that tries to marginalize him. Also, there's the theme of community. The novel shows how the actions of individuals can affect the whole community, both positively and negatively.
One common theme is probably the relationship between the main characters. It could be exploring their friendship more deeply or adding a romantic element to it. Another theme might be solving mysteries in the same style as the original, but with different twists.
I'm not sure specifically as I haven't read this novel. But generally, it might be about events that occur during a night of extreme heat, perhaps involving how characters cope with the heat, any mysteries or dramas that unfold in such a sweltering night.
Family is a big theme too. The fanfictions usually depict Virgil's family members and how they interact with him. For example, they might be protecting him from danger or teaching him important values. It's really sweet to see how the family bonds are portrayed. Sometimes, there are also themes of friendship as Virgil starts to make friends with other characters in the story, which can be really endearing and help him grow as a character.
Well, there's also Sam Wood. He is a police officer in the town. At first, he is somewhat influenced by the racial attitudes of the town but as the story progresses, he also has to deal with the changing dynamics brought about by Tibbs' presence and the investigation they are all part of.
I'm not sure who the main characters are as I haven't read the novel. Maybe it has a detective as a main character if it's a mystery - type story.
Well, the 'Heat of the Night' novel might deal with themes like the hidden aspects of a small town that come to light during the night. It could be about the relationships between the characters that are affected by the events that occur in the nocturnal hours. Maybe there are secrets and intrigues that are only revealed when the sun goes down and the heat of the night sets in. There could be a crime or some sort of social issue that the story focuses on as well.
I don't know as I haven't read the book, but it could be ordinary people living in the area affected by the big heat, like a local shopkeeper, a young student, or a hard - working laborer.
He might be a determined character, given the nature of the story which often involves solving mysteries or dealing with complex social situations.