Often, there is the theme of survival. In 'Lord of the Flies', the boys have to figure out how to survive on the island. Another theme is rebellion. Boys might rebel against authority figures or social norms. In 'The Catcher in the Rye', Holden rebels against the phoniness he sees in the adult world. And masculinity can also be a theme, exploring what it means to be a boy or a man in different situations.
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.
Well, rivalry can be a big theme. In 'The Outsiders', the boys from different groups compete and clash. Adventure is also common. In 'Treasure Island', the boys are on an exciting treasure - hunting adventure. And then there is the theme of identity. In 'This Boy's Life', the boy is trying to figure out who he is in the context of his family and society. It's often a complex process.
One common theme is self - discovery. Boys in these stories often figure out their identity, especially in terms of their sexual orientation. For example, in many stories, a boy realizes he has feelings for another boy and has to come to terms with that.
Growth and self - discovery are also often seen. In a story, a boy and a girl may learn something about themselves while interacting with each other. They might realize their own strengths and weaknesses, like a girl who is always timid but becomes brave when helping a boy in trouble. And the boy might learn to be more patient through their relationship.
The theme of redemption can also be found. Sometimes, the bad boy makes mistakes but then tries to make up for them. He might face consequences for his actions and then strive to become a better person. This is seen in stories where the character has a change of heart after hitting rock bottom due to their bad behavior.
A typical theme is the search for identity. Bad boys might act out because they are trying to find out who they are in a world full of expectations. They think being bad makes them stand out. Also, there's often a theme of redemption. Many short bad boy stories show how they can turn their lives around after hitting rock bottom. They learn from their mistakes and become better people.
Friendship is another common theme. In many boy - centered short stories, boys form deep friendships. Like in 'Bridge to Terabithia', Jess Aarons and Leslie Burke create a magical world together. Their friendship helps them both deal with the difficulties in their real lives and also enriches their childhoods.
One common theme is misjudgment. People often misjudge the 'dumb boy' based on his lack of certain skills or knowledge, but later find out that he has other great qualities.
The themes often include a sense of wonder. Pre - teen boy short stories may involve magical elements or strange new worlds that evoke a sense of wonder in the readers. Another is the theme of loyalty. Characters in these stories are often loyal to their friends or causes. Also, there is the theme of dealing with school and social life. This can include things like making new friends at school, fitting in, or standing out in a positive way, which are all things that pre - teen boys can experience in their own lives.
One common theme is redemption. The bad boy often changes or is changed by the love of the girl. For example, he might stop his bad habits. Another theme is the contrast between the good girl and the bad boy. It creates an interesting dynamic. Also, there's the theme of forbidden love, like when the bad boy is from a different social group or has a bad reputation.
Growth is also a prevalent theme. The boy often experiences personal growth through his interaction with the male adult. In a story, a male coach might help a shy boy gain confidence in sports, which then spills over into other aspects of his life. Additionally, the theme of discovery can be seen, where the boy discovers new things about himself or the world with the adult's guidance.
Love is a very common theme. For example, in 'Romeo and Juliet', the love between the two main characters drives the whole story. Another theme is friendship. Like in 'Peter Pan and Wendy', they start as friends on an adventure. Growth is also a theme. In stories where a boy and a girl go through challenges together, they often grow as individuals.