The main theme could be courage. In many short stories, the concept of being valiant often relates to characters showing great courage in the face of challenges.
It might be about heroism. 'The valiant' implies a heroic nature, so the story could be centered around a character or characters who display heroic deeds, perhaps in a difficult situation like saving a community or standing up against an unjust force.
The main theme could be about female empowerment. The 'valiant woman' might show strength, courage and the ability to overcome challenges, which are common elements in stories that focus on female empowerment.
I'm not sure specifically since I haven't read the story. But it could be a young protagonist who is on a journey to prove their valiance.
Well, in the 'valiant little tailor short story', the little tailor first makes a belt that says 'Seven at one blow' after killing the seven flies. This leads to him being misinterpreted as a great warrior. He then enters the forest where he meets a giant. He tricks the giant into believing he is stronger by showing off false feats of strength, like squeezing water out of a stone (which he actually does with a piece of cheese). His journey is full of such clever ruses.
In the story, the little tailor kills seven flies with one blow. He then sets out on a journey and meets a giant. He outsmarts the giant in various challenges like throwing a stone farther and carrying a tree. Later, he enters the king's service and performs more feats, eventually winning half the kingdom and the princess's hand in marriage.
Obviously, the main character is the valiant woman herself. She is the focus of the story as the title implies.
The main character is the little tailor. And there is also a giant and a king in the story.
As I'm not aware of the '1408 short story', it's difficult to determine the main theme. It could potentially be about isolation if it's set in a single location like room 1408. Maybe it's about the psychological state of a character who is in that particular place. But without more information, it's all speculation.
The main theme could be freedom. In many runaway stories, the character runs away to break free from some form of restriction, whether it's a strict family environment, a difficult social situation, or personal problems. They seek a new start or a different way of life.
The main theme could be fear. Spiders are often associated with fear in many people, and the story might explore how characters react to the presence of a spider.
I think the theme is related to the power of memory. The marigolds are a central element in a memory that has a profound impact on the narrator. It's a memory that she can't forget, and through it, she learns about herself and the world around her.