Another theme is power. In legal fiction short stories, law firms or powerful lawyers may use their influence to manipulate the legal process. In 'The Firm', the big law firm has a lot of power and the young lawyer has to navigate through its dangerous clutches. Corruption is also a theme. There can be corrupt lawyers or judges in these stories, like in some of the stories by Erle Stanley Gardner where the detective has to expose the corrupt elements in the legal world.
One common theme is justice. These stories often explore how justice is served or not served within the legal system. For example, in 'To Kill a Mockingbird', the trial of Tom Robinson shows the flaws in the justice system when it comes to racial discrimination.
Morality is a significant theme as well. Characters in legal fiction short stories often face moral dilemmas. Should they follow the letter of the law or what they believe is right? In 'A Time to Kill', the father of the attacked girl faces this moral question when he decides to take revenge. These themes make legal fiction short stories not only interesting but also thought - provoking.
Often, they involve courtroom scenes. They show the battle between prosecution and defense, like in many real - life legal cases.
One common theme is loss. The loss of lives, the loss of a sense of safety, and the loss of a pre - 9/11 world. People in these stories often struggle to come to terms with the sudden and violent nature of the losses they've experienced.
One common theme is the exploration of human relationships. In these short forms, authors often focus on the dynamics between two or a few characters, like love, friendship, or family relationships. For instance, in some short short fictions, a brief encounter between strangers can reveal a lot about human connection.
Love and lust are common themes. The exploration of physical attraction and the strong emotions it can evoke.
One common theme is self - image. In these stories, characters with anorexia often have a distorted view of their own bodies. For example, they might see themselves as fat even when they are dangerously underweight.
One common theme is the struggle for equality. Feminist short stories often show women fighting against gender - based discrimination in various aspects like work, education, and social status. For example, in many stories, women are striving to break into male - dominated fields. Another theme is female self - discovery. Women characters in these stories are often on a journey to understand themselves better, their desires, and their identities outside of the traditional roles assigned to them. Body image is also a theme. Some stories explore how society's beauty standards affect women's self - worth.
Hope is yet another theme. Despite the overwhelming horror, there are often glimmers of hope in these stories. It could be the hope for liberation, or the hope that their story will be told and remembered. For instance, a character might see a sign of the Allied forces approaching or might find a small bit of comfort in a shared memory with another prisoner, which gives them the strength to keep going.
One common theme is the unknown. Stories often play on the fear of the things we can't understand or explain, like in 'The Call of Cthulhu' where the existence of an ancient and powerful being is hinted at. Another theme is death. It can be sudden, violent, or a lingering presence as in 'The Canterville Ghost'.
Love and relationships are common themes. These stories often explore the deep emotional bonds between women. Another theme is identity, as the characters struggle to define themselves in a world that may not always be accepting.
One common theme is colonialism and its aftermath. African short stories often explore how colonial rule has shaped the continent, like in the loss of cultural identity. Another theme is family and community. African cultures highly value these, and stories show how they support or conflict with individuals.