What are the common elements in Arab horror stories?

One common element is the presence of supernatural beings like Jinni. They are often depicted as powerful and unpredictable, able to cause chaos in people's lives. Another is the idea of haunted places, such as old palaces or wells. These places are usually associated with a past tragedy or an evil act.

One common theme is revenge. Ghosts often come back to take revenge on those who wronged them during their lifetime. Another theme is moral lessons. For example, if someone was greedy or cruel in life, they might be haunted by their deeds in the form of ghosts.

One common element is the grandeur of the prince's status. His wealth and power often play a role in the story. For example, he can use his resources to court the love of his life.

One common trait is perseverance. In many Arab cultures, women face certain challenges, but those who succeed often keep pushing forward despite the odds. For example, an entrepreneur might face difficulties getting funding or support, but she perseveres.

Family is also a big theme. Arab American short stories frequently explore the strong family bonds within the Arab community. This can include the role of elders, the importance of family honor, and how family relationships are maintained or challenged in the context of living in the United States.

Fear of death is a big element in horror stories. The threat of death, whether it's from a serial killer or a supernatural force, is always present. Also, there's often a sense of helplessness. The characters find themselves in situations where they seem to have little control over what's happening to them. For instance, in 'The Blair Witch Project', the characters are lost in the woods and being hunted by an unknown entity. There's also the use of suspense. Writers build up the tension by delaying the reveal of the horror, making the readers or viewers more and more anxious as the story progresses.

Horror stories often feature a protagonist who is in over their head. They might start out as an ordinary person, like in 'Rosemary's Baby' where Rosemary is just a normal woman, but then they are thrust into a terrifying situation. Settings also play a big role. Abandoned asylums, cemeteries, and old mansions are common settings in horror stories as they have an air of mystery and danger already associated with them.

Isolation. Often, in IT horror stories, the characters are isolated. For example, a lone system administrator might be the only one in the server room when something strange starts to happen with the servers. Another common element is the loss of control. The technology that is supposed to be under human control suddenly starts acting on its own, like a self - driving car going berserk in an IT - related horror scenario.

Search for acceptance is also a common theme. Whether it's self - acceptance or acceptance from a small group of friends or the wider society, it's a crucial part of the story. Some may find acceptance in online communities or through traveling to more liberal places, which then becomes a turning point in their first - time story.

Cultural pride is also important. For instance, an Arab BBW might be shown wearing traditional clothing with pride, showing that her culture accepts and values all body types. She can be a symbol of the diversity within Arab culture.