Betrayal is a common theme. Characters often betray each other's trust, which leads to the creation of dark secrets. For example, in a story, a friend might steal a valuable item from another and keep it a secret, causing a rift in their relationship.
Love and obsession can also be themes. A character may be obsessed with someone and keep their extreme feelings a secret. This could lead to all kinds of dark actions as they try to keep their secret while still getting closer to the object of their affection. It's like in some novels where a stalker - like character is secretly in love and does unethical things.
Another theme is the past haunting the present. In many 'dark secrets novel', something that happened long ago, like a crime or a family scandal, resurfaces and affects the current situation. It's like in 'The Secret History' where the past actions of a group of students come back to haunt them in the present day. It creates a sense of mystery and dread as the characters try to deal with these resurfacing secrets.
Gossip is a common theme. In small towns, word spreads fast, and secrets often get twisted through gossip. For example, in many such novels, a character's past mistake might be exaggerated through the grapevine.
Another idea is that Naruto has a dark secret regarding his past training. Maybe he had to do some unethical or dangerous things during his training with Jiraiya that he's ashamed of. This could include using forbidden jutsu or making deals with dark entities in order to gain power, which would be a huge shock to his friends and the village if it ever came out.
The element of mystery and suspense in a 'dark secrets' novel keeps readers hooked. They want to uncover the hidden truths along with the characters.
Cultural differences and secrets related to them. The Amish have a very distinct culture from the outside world. There might be secrets about how they maintain their traditions, or what they really think about modern ways that they seem to shun. For instance, some novels might explore if there are secret desires among the Amish youth to experience modern technology. This theme also ties into the idea of forbidden knowledge within the community.
Well, a frequent theme is reputation. Families often keep secrets to protect their family name. For example, if there was a family member who was involved in something illegal in the past, they would keep it a secret. Also, there are secrets related to family talents or skills that are not shared with the outside world. For instance, a family might have a unique way of making handicrafts that they don't want others to copy. Another theme could be family feuds that are hidden from the public eye, which can be very complex and involve many family members over a long period of time.
The concept of evil is a big theme in dark horror novels. It can be presented as an external force, like a demon, or an internal corruption within a character. Isolation is also common. Characters are often alone in a spooky place, which heightens the sense of fear. And then there's the theme of the past coming back to haunt the present, like a long - forgotten curse or a family secret that brings horror to the current generation.
One common theme is secrecy. In these novels, characters often keep their obsessions hidden, which adds to the mystery and tension.
Power struggle is a common theme. In the medieval times, power was highly coveted. In these novels, you often see characters vying for control over kingdoms, lands, or religious institutions. For example, in 'The Pillars of the Earth', there are constant battles between different noble families for supremacy.
One common theme is the struggle between good and evil within a character. For example, in 'Frankenstein', Victor Frankenstein's initial desire to create life is a form of dark desire as it goes against nature. But he also has a moral side that is constantly at war with this dark urge.