Well, in sad animal novels, there's often a theme of displacement. Animals are taken from their natural habitats and struggle to adapt, like in 'Watership Down'. There's also the theme of the unfairness of life. Animals in these stories face a lot of unjust situations, such as being mistreated or abandoned. And the theme of hope in the face of despair is also there. Despite all the sad things that happen, animals sometimes show remarkable resilience and hope, which adds an emotional depth to the novels.
Abandonment is a common theme. Like when people leave their pets without a second thought. These poor animals are left to fend for themselves.
One common theme is lack of proper space. Animals like lions and bears need large areas to roam. When confined to small enclosures, they get stressed and depressed. Another theme is improper diet. Some zoos might not provide the exact natural diet of the animals, leading to health problems and sadness. Social isolation is also a big one. Many animals are social by nature and being alone can be very distressing for them.
Loss is a big theme. When an animal loses its love, like the horse that was left alone after its partner was sold, it experiences great sadness. Also, the theme of unrequited love can exist in some cases. For example, an animal might love another that doesn't feel the same way, which can lead to a sad situation. Well, in general, these themes make the sad animal love stories touch our hearts because we can relate to the feelings of loss, loyalty and separation in our own human experiences.
A common sad story is when players lose their favorite items. Maybe they accidentally sold something valuable or dropped it in the wrong place and it disappeared. It's sad because some items are really hard to get in the game.
Common themes in tragic animal novels include sacrifice. In 'Watership Down', some rabbits sacrifice themselves for the safety of the group. Loneliness is another theme, like in 'The Plague Dogs' where the two dogs are often alone in their struggle. And there's the theme of the unforgiving nature of the world. In 'Moby - Dick', the sea is an unforgiving environment that leads to the tragic fates of many characters. These themes not only add to the tragic nature of the stories but also make us reflect on the relationship between animals, humans and the world around them.
The theme of fear and panic also runs through these novels. When animals attack, the characters experience intense fear and often panic. This can lead to bad decisions or make the situation even more dangerous, as seen in 'Cujo' where the fear of the rabid dog spreads among the community.
Another element is injury. In many sad animal rescue stories, the animals have been hurt, either accidentally or on purpose. For example, dogs that have been hit by cars or cats with broken bones from falls. And also, the fear and confusion in the animals when they are rescued is common. They don't understand what's happening and are often very scared at first.
One common element is confinement. Animals like lions and monkeys are locked in small cages, restricting their movement. Another is the forced performance of unnatural acts. For example, dolphins are made to jump through hoops when in the wild they swim freely. And often there is a lack of proper medical care, which can lead to the animals being in pain.
Loneliness is a big common element. Animals are social creatures. In shelters, they are separated from their natural habitats and families. A parrot in a shelter, for instance, is used to living in a flock but now is all alone in a cage. It may stop singing and become withdrawn, which is really sad to see.
One common theme is unrequited love. In many such novels, one character may love another who either doesn't return the feelings or is unable to due to various circumstances like social pressure or personal insecurities.