Love and alienation are common themes. His characters often struggle with feeling disconnected from others while also seeking love.
Another theme is the search for identity. In the modern world depicted in his short stories, characters are constantly trying to figure out who they are, especially in the face of social and cultural pressures. For instance, young people might be influenced by the ideals of consumerism and have to navigate through that to find their true selves.
The concept of 'wu - wei' is also common. It's about effortless action or non - action. For example, in some stories, a character might achieve a great task not by striving forcefully but by going with the flow, which is a key aspect of 'wu - wei'. And many stories also explore the idea of simplicity. Taoism values simplicity in life, and these stories might depict characters who find contentment in a simple existence rather than a complex and material - rich one.
Sure. One interesting work might be 'Taipei'. It delves into themes like modern relationships and self - discovery in a unique way.
Another theme is the loss of freedom. People are not allowed to think freely or have privacy. And also, the distortion of truth is a theme. The Party in the story changes history to suit its needs.
If it's about 9/11, common themes could be loss. So many lives were lost that day, and families were torn apart.
Love and friendship are likely main themes. Stories may show how characters support and care for each other.
Since we have no information about the '5 short story', it's a mystery what the main themes could be. It could be that the stories are centered around historical events and themes like war, social change, or cultural heritage. Or maybe they are more focused on personal relationships and emotions such as jealousy, forgiveness, or gratitude. There are so many possibilities when it comes to short story themes, and without more details about this specific collection, we can only guess.
Since we know the title has '11 59' in it, time is likely to be a major theme. It could be about the preciousness of the last minute before midnight, symbolizing a transition or a moment of change. Another possible theme could be anticipation. What is about to happen at 11:59? Are the characters waiting for something, and what does that waiting mean for them? It might also touch on themes of fate or destiny, like whatever is supposed to happen at 11:59 is fated to occur.
Another theme could be change. Since it's about fate, the story might show how a single event or decision can change the course of a character's fate. For instance, a character who was on a path to self - destruction might change their fate by making a positive choice. This change can be related to personal growth, relationships, or career. In 'a fate short story', such changes are often central to the plot.
Duality could be a main theme, given the connection to Janus.
One main theme could be the unreliability of memory. Since the title asks if it was a dream, it implies that the memories might be false.