One great dark theme for stories could be 'The Struggle Against Darkness'. It often involves a hero or a group of characters fighting against an oppressive and shadowy force, like in 'The Lord of the Rings' where the Fellowship battles Sauron's dark army. Another is 'The Mystery in the Shadows', which creates an atmosphere of suspense as characters try to solve a mystery that is shrouded in darkness, both literally and metaphorically. And 'The Dark Redemption' is also a good one, where a character who has been in the dark side tries to find redemption and change their ways.
Common dark themes in stories include death, loss, betrayal, and the struggle with inner demons. For example, in many gothic novels, death is a prevalent theme, often creating an atmosphere of mystery and gloom. Betrayal can add a sense of drama and emotional turmoil, like in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' where Macbeth betrays his king. Inner demons can be seen in stories where characters battle with their own vices or psychological issues, making the story complex and thought - provoking.
Perhaps a theme of mystery. The not quite dark can create an atmosphere of the unknown. It's not fully light to see everything clearly, and not fully dark to be completely hidden. So the stories may revolve around things that are just out of reach of understanding, like a mystery that slowly unfolds as the light fades further.
Power abuse is a major theme. We often see in 'dark real stories' that those in power, be it in politics or within an organization, use their position to mistreat others or gain unfair advantages. Also, greed is a prevalent theme, where people's excessive desire for wealth or status leads them to engage in unethical or illegal behavior. In a lot of these stories, the pursuit of more money can make people forget about basic morals and the well - being of others.
Dark themes can enhance stories by adding depth. For example, a dark theme of betrayal can make the relationships between characters more complex. It also creates mood. A story with a 'Darkness of the Soul' theme can have a very gloomy and thought - provoking mood. And it can drive the plot. If the theme is 'The Dark Invasion', the plot will be about characters trying to stop this invasion, making it more exciting.
One common theme is the distortion of power. In many dark fanfictions, characters who had some power in the original work become tyrants or are corrupted by power. For example, in superhero - related dark fanfics, a hero might turn into a villain due to excessive power.
One common theme is the loss of innocence. In war, young soldiers go through traumatic experiences that shatter their naivete. Another is the futility of war. These stories often show that war doesn't really solve problems but creates more chaos.
Well, a prevalent theme is the power of the unknown. In many dark fairy tales, the forest represents the unknown and is filled with danger. Also, there is the theme of transformation. In 'Beauty and the Beast', the beast is transformed, but in a more complex and sometimes dark way. And the theme of envy, like the envy of the queen in 'Snow White' that drives her to do evil things.
Well, one of the common themes is hopelessness. Take the old man in the dilapidated house. He seems to have no hope for a better future. Also, betrayal can be a theme. Maybe someone was betrayed by a friend or loved one, which led to their dark mood. And then there's the theme of being trapped, like the young girl trapped with her cruel relatives. It makes the characters feel helpless and adds to the dark mood of the story.