I think one theme could be the importance of home. No matter where one is, there's a special feeling about being home, especially during Christmas. Another theme could be hope. The character has hope of getting home for Christmas despite any difficulties. And of course, love. Love for family and the love associated with the Christmas season.
It could be about a person's journey to get home in time for Christmas. Maybe they face various obstacles like bad weather or travel delays, but their determination to be with family for the holiday drives them forward.
The 'I'll be home for Christmas story' could center on the emotional aspect of coming home for Christmas. It might be about a soldier who has been away for a long time and is finally able to return home for the holidays. His family has been waiting eagerly for his arrival, and the story could detail the warm welcome he receives, the decorations in the house that remind him of the Christmas spirit, and the overall joy of being back with his family during this special time of the year.
The song 'I'll be home for Christmas' was written during World War II. It captured the longing of soldiers who were away from home during the holidays. It became a very popular song as it expressed a common and powerful sentiment. Many families had their loved ones far away in the war, and this song gave them hope that they would be reunited, at least in spirit if not in person during Christmas.
It's a heartwarming tale often about a person's longing to be with family during the Christmas season and the challenges or adventures they face on the way home.
One possible theme is the sense of belonging. Home is where one feels they belong, and the story might explore how characters find or create that sense of belonging within their home environment.
I haven't actually read this specific short story, but generally, it might be about someone's journey or longing to be home for Christmas. It could involve themes of family, the spirit of the holiday, and perhaps the challenges one faces in trying to get home during this special time.
One possible theme could be family. Christmas is often a time for family reunions, and a 1910 short story might explore family relationships during that time.
Isolation might also be a theme. Maybe the character feels isolated in their current situation and calling home is a way to break that feeling. For example, if the character is in a new and unfriendly environment, reaching out to home gives them a sense of comfort and belonging. And there could be a theme of change. Through the calls home, the character might realize how things have changed at home while they've been away, which can lead to a deeper understanding of life's impermanence.
One possible theme could be nostalgia. The character going home is likely to be filled with memories of the past, and the story might explore how those memories shape their current journey. Another theme could be the idea of belonging. By going home, the character is seeking a place where they feel they truly belong. Also, redemption could be a theme. Maybe the character has made mistakes in the past and going home is a way to make amends.
Loneliness is a likely theme. Being away from home during Christmas, which is a time usually associated with family and togetherness, can make one feel isolated. Another theme could be cultural differences. If in a foreign place, experiencing different Christmas traditions or lack thereof. Also, resilience. Having to find ways to make the best of the situation and still find some joy during the holiday.