The wilderness can be a big theme. New Hampshire has a lot of forests and mountains. There are stories of things lurking in the woods, like strange creatures or spirits that cause people to get lost. Also, there are tales of people encountering something not quite human while camping or hiking. It's as if the vast and somewhat wild nature of the state holds many secrets and potential terrors.
In New Hampshire, there might be horror stories related to old cemeteries. People might have reported seeing ghostly figures hovering over graves. There could also be stories about cursed places in the state, where bad luck seems to follow those who visit. For example, an old abandoned building where people who enter feel an overwhelming sense of dread and unease.
The theme of change over time is also prevalent. As the United States as a whole was evolving, Vermont and New Hampshire were no exception. Historical fictions often explore how the arrival of new technologies, like the railroad, or new ideas, such as different religious beliefs, changed the way of life. It could be about how a small farming town in Vermont had to adapt when a big factory was built nearby, or how the people of New Hampshire reacted to new political ideologies spreading across the nation.
Well, there could be stories related to strange disappearances in New Hampshire. Maybe hikers who went into the woods and were never seen again. Some believe there are mysterious forces in the deep forests that lead people astray. There are also tales of abandoned asylums in the state with a dark past, and people who visited there reported hearing eerie screams and seeing shadowy figures.
Perhaps a theme of betrayal. It could be that a character is betrayed by someone they trust, which then leads to their terrifying ordeal. Or there could be a theme of the supernatural taking over the normal world. For instance, demons or ghosts invading a peaceful town and causing chaos, which is a typical and effective horror story element.
One common theme is the isolation of the New England landscape. The vast forests, small towns and old mansions can create a sense of loneliness and unease, like in many of Lovecraft's stories.
The themes of love and relationships are prominent. There are different kinds of love - romantic, familial, and platonic - which are explored through the interactions of the characters. Additionally, the concept of identity is a theme. The characters are constantly trying to figure out who they are, especially in the context of their family and the strange situations they find themselves in. And the theme of survival is there too, as they face difficulties and have to find ways to keep going.
Well, in the 'Hotel New Hampshire' novel, a significant theme is the passage of time. We see how the characters and their relationships evolve over the years. Madness and sanity is another theme. Some characters seem to straddle the line between the two. And there's the theme of adventure. The family's experiences in the hotel are full of unexpected and adventurous events.
The theme of death is almost always there. It could be sudden and unexpected deaths, or the fear of one's own impending death. Another theme is the corruption of innocence. Innocent characters might be drawn into a world of horror and be changed forever. And then there's the theme of the uncanny, where things seem familiar yet strangely wrong, like a normal - looking house that has a hidden, terrifying secret inside.
One common theme is rudeness. For example, people being late without any apology or being overly critical of their date's appearance or choices.
One story could be about a group of hikers who got lost in the White Mountains. As night fell, they started to hear strange howls. They felt like they were being watched. When they finally found a small cabin to take shelter in, they saw strange markings on the walls that seemed to be some kind of warning. They were terrified until morning when they were able to find their way back.