In these short stories, the theme of transformation is quite common. Love has the ability to transform people. A selfish person might become selfless because of love. Also, unity is a theme. The lovers are united against all external forces that try to separate them. Whether it's the judgment of society or the interference of other people, they stay together, and this unity is powered by their love.
There is a short story where a soldier returns from war, badly injured both physically and mentally. His fiancée doesn't abandon him. Instead, she devotes all her time and energy to help him recover. She faces the pressure from her family and society, but her love for him never fades. Eventually, the soldier gets better, which shows that love conquers all the hardships.
Well, from what I can imagine, survival could be a theme. In short stories, characters are often faced with challenges and they have to find ways to survive, whether it's in a physical sense like in a dangerous environment or in an emotional sense like dealing with loss. Also, the theme of change is likely. Things are constantly changing for the characters in the stories, and they have to adapt.
One common theme is friendship. Boys in these stories often form strong bonds with each other. Another is coming of age. They grow and learn about themselves and the world around them. For example, in 'A Separate Peace', the main character Gene goes through a lot of self - discovery.
One common theme is sacrifice. In many love stories, characters are willing to give up something for the sake of their loved one, like in 'Romeo and Juliet' where Romeo sacrifices his life for Juliet. Another theme is growth. Love often makes the characters grow and change. For example, in 'Pride and Prejudice', Elizabeth Bennet grows in her understanding of love and relationships through her experiences with Mr. Darcy. And of course, there's the theme of passion. The intense feelings between the lovers drive the story forward.
One common theme is the power of courage. In a good conquers evil story, the good characters usually need to be very brave to face the powerful evil forces. For example, in 'Beowulf', Beowulf has the courage to fight the terrifying monsters like Grendel. Another theme is the importance of friendship and unity. In 'The Chronicles of Narnia', the Pevensie children work together and with their new friends in Narnia to defeat the White Witch.
Isolation is also a recurring theme. Consider 'I Am the Doorway'. The main character is isolated because of his strange condition, and this isolation adds to the overall sense of unease and horror. King often uses isolation to heighten the sense of fear and make the reader feel the character's vulnerability.
Many of Bentley Little's short stories often involve elements of the macabre and the strange. One common theme is the disruption of the ordinary. He likes to take normal, everyday situations and twist them into something terrifying. For example, in some stories, suburban neighborhoods which are typically seen as safe havens become sites of horror.
Some common themes in short stories about suicide are despair, isolation, and a sense of hopelessness. For example, in many stories, the character might feel alone in the world, like no one understands them. This could be due to problems in relationships, such as a broken family or being bullied at school. Another theme is the search for meaning. When a character can't find a purpose in life, they may be more likely to consider suicide. It's also common to see themes related to mental illness, like depression, which can cloud a person's view of the world and make them believe that suicide is the only option.
One common theme is sacrifice. Just like in many love stories, characters are often willing to give up something valuable for the person they love. For example, it could be material possessions or personal dreams.
One common theme is the struggle against society's norms. Gay characters often face prejudice and discrimination, which forms a major part of their story as they try to love in a world that may not be accepting. For example, in many stories, they have to hide their relationship from family or the community.