What are the common dark themes in stories?

One common theme is the battle between good and evil. In many medieval stories, there are knights or heroes fighting against demons or villains. Another theme is the struggle for power. Kings and lords often fight for more land and influence. And death is also a big theme, like in stories about the plague or wars.

One common theme is power abuse. Those in power often take advantage of the vulnerable. For instance, in corrupt political systems, officials may embezzle funds meant for public welfare, leaving the poor without proper support.

Often, isolation is a theme. In 'Coraline', the main character feels isolated in her real life and that's part of what draws her to the other world, which then turns into a more sinister form of isolation. Also, fear is a big theme. These stories play on our fears of the unknown, the supernatural, and things that go bump in the night. In 'Paranorman', Norman has to face his fear of the ghosts to save his town. Dark animated stories also sometimes explore themes of redemption, like when a character has made bad choices but tries to make it right in the end.

Mortality and the afterlife are also common themes. Dark fantasies often explore what happens after death or the price of trying to cheat death. Like in 'The Sandman' by Neil Gaiman, the concept of dreams and death are intertwined. Also, the theme of the outcast or the misunderstood hero is prevalent. Characters like Dracula in Bram Stoker's classic are outcasts, different from normal society and feared because of their powers or nature.

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.

Fear is a very common theme. The unknown nature of the dark demon creates a sense of dread. Another common theme is isolation. Often, the events happen in lonely places like old castles or deep forests. Also, the idea of powerlessness. People in these stories usually find themselves unable to fight against the demon, at least not at first.

Another theme is the rediscovery of lost knowledge. In many dark ageplay stories, there are remnants of an advanced civilization that the characters are trying to understand or bring back. This could be in the form of old books, technology, or cultural practices. It adds an element of mystery and hope to the story as the characters strive to better their situation. A good example is a story where characters find an ancient library full of knowledge they need to decipher.

One common theme is death. Many dark short stories deal with death in various forms, whether it's sudden, violent, or expected. Another is the human psyche. They often explore the darker aspects of the human mind like guilt, as in 'The Black Cat'. Also, fear is a big theme, creating a sense of unease and horror in the reader.

One common theme is transformation. The characters start from a 'dark' state, whether it's emotional, physical or social, and then transform into something better by 'gaining' something positive like self - discovery or new skills.

One common theme is death. Many anime dark stories involve a lot of death, whether it's the main characters or a large number of secondary characters. For example, in 'Berserk', there is a constant presence of death and destruction. Another theme is power and its abuse. In 'Code Geass', the main character gains a powerful ability and his journey shows how power can corrupt.