One common theme is the exploration of power and control. In many such books, lobotomy is used as a tool by those in power (like in institutions) to subdue patients. For example, in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest', Nurse Ratched uses the threat of lobotomy as a means of controlling the patients.
Another theme is the critique of medical ethics. Lobotomy was a real - life medical procedure that was later questioned. In fiction, these books often raise questions about the morality of such extreme medical interventions. They make the readers wonder about the boundaries of what is acceptable in the name of treating mental illness.
There is also 'The Bell Jar' which, while not directly centered on lobotomy, touches on the mental health issues and the extreme treatments that were sometimes considered in that era, which could potentially include lobotomy in the broader context of mental health treatments.
One common theme is advanced technology. Sci - fi often features futuristic gadgets like warp drives in space operas or artificial intelligence that can think and feel. Another is alien life. Stories might explore first contact scenarios, whether the aliens are friendly or hostile. And post - apocalyptic settings are also common, showing how humanity survives in a world after a major disaster such as a nuclear war or a pandemic.
One common theme is the struggle against nature. For example, in 'The Old Man and the Sea', the old man battles the sea and the big fish. Another theme is human resilience. In 'Unbroken', the protagonist endures so much in the war and in the face of nature's hardships. Also, self - discovery is often a theme. As in 'Wild', the woman on her journey of survival also discovers a lot about herself.
A common theme is the battle between good and evil. Angels are often seen as the representatives of good, so in these books, they usually fight against demons or other forces of darkness.
One common theme is the search for self - knowledge. Since the characters are reborn, they often try to understand who they are across different lifetimes. Another theme is redemption. They might have made mistakes in past lives and are seeking to make amends in the new ones.
One common theme is space exploration. Many science fiction books take readers on adventures to distant planets, like in '2001: A Space Odyssey'. Another theme is artificial intelligence. Books often explore the relationship between humans and intelligent machines, such as in 'I, Robot'. Time travel is also a popular theme, where characters journey through different eras, for example in 'The Time Machine' by H.G. Wells.
Guilt is a very common theme. Characters in these books often struggle with feelings of guilt for their actions outside of marriage. For example, in 'Madame Bovary', Emma Bovary constantly battles with her conscience.
One common theme is totalitarian control. Like in '1984', the government has extreme power over the people. Another theme is the dehumanization of society. In 'Brave New World', people are more like products. Also, environmental destruction is a theme. For example, in some dystopia books, the world has become a polluted and uninhabitable place due to over - industrialization.
Emotional turmoil is a common theme. Characters often experience a range of emotions like grief, anger, and hopelessness due to infertility. For example, in many books, the female characters might feel a sense of inadequacy.
One common theme is the relationship between humans and nature. In biospherians fiction books, you often see how the biospherians interact with the limited environment around them, whether it's about growing food, conserving resources, or dealing with unexpected ecological changes.