The theme of cultural preservation also often appears. Transnational families may struggle to keep their original cultural heritage alive while adapting to the new culture. In transnational novels, this can be depicted as a family's efforts to teach their children the language, traditions, and values of their origin country, even as they are surrounded by a different culture.
Another theme is the idea of divided loyalties. Transnational family members may have to choose between their loyalty to their family in the old country and their new life in the new country. This can create a lot of drama and conflict in the story. For example, a character may have to decide whether to go back to take care of an ailing relative or stay in the new country for a job opportunity.
Transnational families are often depicted as complex entities in transnational novels. They might show the cultural clashes and fusions within the family. For example, different family members may hold different cultural values due to living in different countries. Some may be more traditional from their origin country, while others may be more influenced by the new country's culture.
In many transnational families stories, a big challenge is the lack of physical presence during important family events. For instance, a grandparent in one country might miss a grandchild's birthday or graduation in another country. Educational differences between countries can also pose problems. If a family moves from a country with a more relaxed educational system to one that is highly competitive, the children may find it hard to adapt. And let's not forget the language barrier, which can isolate family members and make integration difficult.
Sure. One story is about a family from Mexico. The parents migrated to the US for work. They left their young son in the care of his grandparents in Mexico. The parents worked hard in the US, sending money back home. Meanwhile, they used video calls to stay in touch with their son. As the son grew older, he had the opportunity to join his parents in the US. It was a big adjustment for him, but the family was finally reunited.
Common themes include family honor. The feud might be centered around protecting the family's honor, and the lovers have to navigate this. In many novels, there's also the theme of redemption. The love between the characters can potentially be a way to end the feud and redeem the families. Social class differences often play a part too. In feuding families romance novels, the families might be from different social classes, adding another layer of complexity to the relationship. For instance, in 'Pride and Prejudice', the Bennet family's lower social status compared to Mr. Darcy's family causes initial problems in their relationship.
Generosity also features prominently. Angel families are usually very generous. They share what they have, be it food, shelter, or knowledge. They give without expecting anything in return. This generosity is what makes their stories so inspiring and what sets them apart as 'angel families'.
Power imbalances are also common. There might be a dominant family member who controls everything and doesn't allow others to have a say. This can prevent the family from functioning as a healthy unit. In a family where the grandmother has all the power, she might make decisions that are not in the best interest of the younger generations, causing friction within the family.
In German families story, there is often a theme of respecting elders. The wisdom and experience of the older generations are highly valued. Also, the celebration of holidays and festivals as a family is common. Whether it's Christmas or Oktoberfest, these are times when families come together, share food, and create memories. And there is also a sense of pride in their family heritage, which can be seen in how they preserve their family traditions.
Love and lust are common themes. Often, these novels explore the connection between physical attraction and emotional attachment. For example, in many romance - based sex - related novels, the characters are initially drawn to each other sexually and then develop deeper emotional bonds.
One common theme is love and passion. Sex is often intertwined with love in novels, showing how physical attraction can be part of a deeper emotional connection. Another theme is power. In some stories, sex can be a means of one character exerting power over another, either through seduction or coercion. Also, the exploration of taboos related to sex is a theme. Novels may deal with topics like adultery or forbidden love, which involve sex and go against social norms.
One common theme is displacement. Refugees are forced to leave their homes, and novels often explore the emotional and physical upheaval this causes. For example, in 'The Book of Unknown Americans', the characters have to leave behind their familiar lives in Latin America.