One common theme is sacrifice. A character may sacrifice their own happiness or desires to repay a debt in the romantic relationship. For example, they might give up a great opportunity or a relationship with someone else because they feel indebted to another person. Another theme is redemption. The character who owes the debt tries to redeem themselves through their actions in the relationship, like being more loyal or helpful.
Guilt is also a frequent theme. The one in debt often feels guilty for past actions that led to the debt situation in the romance. This guilt can drive their behavior and decision - making in the relationship. And there's the theme of growth. As they deal with the debt of romance, the characters usually grow, either becoming more selfless or learning about the true meaning of love and relationships.
In many Chinese novels about 'debt of romance', the theme of fate often plays a role. It seems like the debt was fated to happen, and the characters are just following the path set by fate. This gives a sense of inevitability to the relationship. Also, the theme of forgiveness can be seen, where the person who is owed the debt has to decide whether to forgive the debtor, which can be a turning point in the romantic plot.
A frequent plot device is the external interference in the relationship. Family, society or some external forces may try to break up the couple who have a 'love debt' relationship. This creates more tension and makes the characters' struggle to either fulfill or break free from the love debt more intense. For instance, in some historical Chinese novels, a noble family may oppose the union of a poor scholar and their daughter, even though they have a deep emotional bond. The characters then have to decide how to deal with this external pressure while also dealing with their internal feelings of love and indebtedness.
Common themes include Cinderella - like stories where an ordinary girl meets a wealthy and powerful man. There's also the theme of redemption in love. For instance, a character who has made mistakes in the past is redeemed by the love of another. And the theme of rekindling old flames is also seen, where former lovers meet again after a long time and reignite their love.
Redemption is also a theme that can be found. Sometimes, the act of revenge leads to self - realization and the character may start to seek redemption. In the romantic aspect, it could mean that they have to make amends to their loved ones. For example, a character who has been blinded by revenge may finally realize that they have also hurt the ones they love and then try to fix things while still holding on to their love.
One common theme is social inequality. In many such novels, the poor are burdened with debt while the rich often manipulate the debt system to their advantage. For example, in some stories set during the Industrial Revolution, workers were in debt to factory owners and lived in harsh conditions.
One common theme is the clash of values. In many Chinese novels about divorce, the differences in values between husband and wife, such as traditional family values versus modern individual - centered values, often lead to the breakdown of the marriage. For example, in some novels, the husband may adhere to the traditional view that the wife should be mainly in charge of the family, while the wife desires more career opportunities.
Love and jealousy are also themes. They may fall in love with the master or other people, and jealousy can arise among them. In 'The Plum in the Golden Vase', the relationships between the concubines are full of love and jealousy.
One such Chinese novel could be 'Love and Redemption'. In this novel, there are elements where the characters' relationships are intertwined with a sense of debt, be it emotional or otherwise in the context of romance. The story weaves a complex web of love, sacrifice and the debts that the characters owe to each other, making it an interesting read in relation to the concept of 'debt of romance'.
Isolation is also a theme. Characters in these novels are often isolated either because of their quest for revenge or because of the dark nature of their 'debt'. They may be shunned by society or choose to distance themselves as they pursue their own dark goals, as seen in 'Moby - Dick' where Captain Ahab is so obsessed with his 'debt' to the whale that he becomes isolated from his crew in a sense.
Another theme is resilience. Despite the difficult situation, the wife shows great strength. She doesn't let the debt break her family. She might face criticism from family members or friends, but she still perseveres. In many stories, she tries different ways to earn money and manage finances.
One common theme is over - borrowing. People often take on more debt than they can realistically afford, whether it's for consumer goods or to start a business. Another theme is unexpected expenses. Things like medical emergencies or sudden job loss can turn a manageable debt situation into a horror story. High - interest rates also play a big role. When the interest is too high, it becomes very difficult to pay off the principal amount.