One common theme is sacrifice. In stories like 'The Gift of the Magi', the couple sacrifices their most precious possessions for each other. It shows that love can make people give up things they hold dear.
In 'Hills Like White Elephants', the themes are communication and the future of a relationship. The couple struggles to communicate openly about the pregnancy. Their love is on the line as they try to figure out what to do. It shows that in love, difficult conversations are necessary but often hard to have.
One main theme is masculinity. In stories like 'The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber', Hemingway examines what it means to be a man. Macomber's transformation from a cowardly figure to a brave one in the face of danger, and his complex relationship with his wife, all tie into this exploration of masculinity. It shows how a man's self - perception can change in extreme situations.
One common theme is the nature of reality. For example, in 'The Metamorphosis' by Franz Kafka, the sudden transformation of Gregor into an insect challenges our understanding of what is normal and real. It makes us question the stability of our own identities and the world around us.
Well, mystery is also a big theme. There are usually things to be uncovered, like hidden treasures or strange happenings. And courage is present too. The characters need to be brave to deal with the difficulties they encounter during their adventures.
Love and loss are common themes. For example, in 'The Necklace', Mathilde loses her beauty and youth due to her pursuit of a false sense of status, which is related to a kind of love for a better life. Another theme is revenge, as seen in 'The Cask of Amontillado' where Montresor's revenge on Fortunato leads to a tragic end.
One main theme is paranoia. In many Cold War short stories, characters are often suspicious of each other, like in 'The Lottery' where the villagers blindly follow a tradition that seems cruel and unjust, which can be seen as a metaphor for the paranoia of the Cold War era. Another theme is power struggle. For example, in 'Harrison Bergeron', the government's extreme control over the people to maintain 'equality' is a form of power struggle similar to that between the superpowers. Also, the theme of the threat of annihilation is common. Stories might not directly show it but the underlying sense of doom and the fear of the unknown, like in 'The Sentinel' where the discovery in space has implications that could change the world in a big way.
One main theme is the struggle against family and society. In stories like Heer - Ranjha, the lovers face opposition from their families, which is a common occurrence in Indian folk love stories. This shows how social norms and family expectations can interfere with true love.
Another theme is the power of love that defies all odds. In the story of Laila - Majnu, Majnu's love for Laila was so intense that he was willing to sacrifice everything. However, this very intensity also led to their downfall as society couldn't accept such a passionate and 'uncontrolled' love. So, it shows the two - sided nature of extreme love in the context of Indian tragic love stories.
Unconditional love. A mother's love for her child regardless of the child's behavior or a family's support for a member going through a tough time. These stories show that family love doesn't depend on certain conditions but is always there, like in the story of a family that stands by a member who has lost their job.
One of the main themes is sacrifice. In many Hindi love short stories, lovers are often willing to sacrifice their own desires, dreams or even social status for the sake of their beloved. For example, a girl from a wealthy family might be willing to give up her riches to be with a poor but kind - hearted boy.