Well, in 'The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Short Stories', there is also the theme of self - discovery. Characters are often on a journey to understand themselves better. They face various situations that force them to re - evaluate their beliefs, values, and their very identities. Through their experiences, we as readers can see how they grow or sometimes regress in their self - knowledge. And this exploration of self is intertwined with the other themes like love and morality as their self - perception affects how they approach relationships and moral choices.
One of the main themes is love and marriage. In these stories, Tolstoy often explores the complex relationships between men and women within the institution of marriage.
Tolstoy's detailed descriptions add depth. For example, he might describe a setting in great detail, making the reader feel like they are there. This helps in setting the mood for the story.
I'm not sure about the main themes in 'and other short stories' as I haven't read it. It could potentially have themes such as friendship, family, or the struggle for survival, which are common in many short story collections.
One of the main themes is the social hierarchy. In the stories, we can see how characters are affected by their position in society. For example, in 'The Overcoat', the protagonist's low social status leads to his misfortunes. Another theme is the human condition, like the struggle, the hopes and the despair of the characters. Also, the concept of appearance versus reality is present. Characters often present a certain facade, but underneath there are different truths.
One of the main themes is the idea of appearance vs. reality. In 'The Necklace', Madame Loisel is so concerned with appearing wealthy that she borrows a necklace to fit in at a high - society event, only to find out later the high cost of that pretense. Another theme could be the role of social class and how it affects people's lives and self - esteem.
One main theme could be the impact of war on women. In the title story 'Girls at War', it might show how women are affected by the chaos and destruction of war. Another theme could be female empowerment as the 'girls' in the title might imply that women are not just passive victims but can also be active participants in difficult situations.
One main theme is mortality. As the title 'they die by dawn' might suggest, death and the passage of time are important aspects. Another could be the search for identity, as the characters in the short stories often seem to be on a journey to discover who they really are.
One main theme is redemption. In 'A Christmas Carol', Scrooge transforms from a miserly, cold - hearted man to a kind and generous one. Another theme is the importance of kindness and charity, as shown through the various characters' actions during the Christmas season.
I think themes such as isolation and loneliness are in 'Woman in the Dark and Other Short Stories'. The woman in the title perhaps feels isolated in the dark, which could be a metaphor for her emotional state. There may also be themes of transformation, where characters change throughout the stories, either due to external events or internal realizations.
The concept of fate vs. free will is also a big theme. With the prediction of future events, it makes one wonder if people are truly in control of their own destinies or if everything is already pre - determined.
One of the main themes could be the passage of time, as 'Half a Day' gives a sense of a long life compressed into half a day. Another theme might be the human experience and how we perceive different stages of life. Also, there could be themes of change and growth.