Isolation is a common theme. In many such stories, the characters are alone, either physically or emotionally. For example, in 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the woman is isolated in the room, which intensifies her misery.
Despair is also a major theme. The characters in'misery short story' usually face situations that seem hopeless. Like in 'A Rose for Emily', Emily's situation seems to be one of continuous decline and hopelessness as she is trapped in the past and her own loneliness, which makes the overall tone of the story one of despair.
One common theme is alienation. Characters in misery novels often feel isolated from society or those around them. For example, in 'The Catcher in the Rye', Holden Caulfield feels like an outsider. Another theme is unfulfilled dreams. In 'Of Mice and Men', George and Lennie's dream of having their own farm never comes true.
Since I'm not overly familiar with this specific fanfiction type, it could potentially include themes of fear, power dynamics. Maybe Percy has some sort of power or ability that he uses to intimidate or 'scare' Misery.
One common theme is struggle. In these novels, characters are often struggling against the misery they have borrowed or been thrust into. For example, in 'The Great Gatsby', Jay Gatsby is in a sense borrowing the misery of unrequited love. His struggle to win Daisy back is a central theme.
Love, friendship, and self-discovery are common themes. These often form the core of many short stories, exploring the human experience in various ways.
One common theme could be change. Since 'by and by' implies the passage of time, stories might focus on how characters or situations change over time. For example, a character might start off naive and become wise as the story progresses.
Love is a very common theme. It can be romantic love, like in stories where two characters overcome obstacles to be together. Another common theme is friendship. Stories often show how friends support each other through difficult times. Also, the theme of death and loss is frequently explored, where characters deal with the pain of losing someone or something dear to them.
The main themes include grief and the human need for connection. Iona is consumed by grief over his son's death and tries repeatedly to connect with others by sharing his story. But he is met with apathy. Also, there is the theme of the dehumanizing effect of urban life. People are so focused on their own affairs that they don't see the humanity in Iona.
Common themes could include forbidden desires, self-discovery through sexual experiences, or the impact of sex on relationships. Different stories might focus on different aspects, though.
Isolation is also typical. When there is darkness, characters often feel alone. They might be cut off from others, like in a town surrounded by a dark fog where no one can get in or out. This makes their situation seem more desperate. Moreover, the theme of hope often emerges as well. Despite the overwhelming darkness, there is usually a glimmer of hope that the characters hold on to, whether it's finding a way to escape the darkness or bringing back the light.
One common theme is survival. When a character is trapped, they have to fight for their survival, whether it's against the elements, another person, or their own mental state. For example, in 'The Pit and the Pendulum', the man has to figure out how to escape the dungeon and the approaching pendulum to survive.