What are the common themes in Mary Lavin's short stories?

Sure. 'The Becker Wives' is one of her notable short stories. It delves into the complex relationships within a family and the different perspectives of the women in it.

One common theme is the exploration of the unknown. In many of her stories, Shelley delves into the mysteries of science and nature. For example, in 'Frankenstein', the idea of creating life through scientific means is a major exploration. Another theme is the consequences of ambition. The characters' over - reaching desires often lead to their downfall. Also, isolation is present, as seen in the creature's loneliness in 'Frankenstein'.

One common theme could be love. Christmas is often a time for people to come together, and in Mary Balogh's stories, love might be expressed between characters in various forms, such as romantic love or the love within a family. Another theme could be redemption. The holiday spirit might inspire characters to make amends or change for the better. Also, the sense of community could be a theme, as Christmas is a time when communities often gather and celebrate.

Love and loss are common themes. For example, in many of her stories, characters experience the pain of losing someone they love and then learn to move forward. Another theme is self - discovery. Characters often find out more about themselves through various situations in her short fictions.

Superstition. The main theme is often the superstition around the 'Bloody Mary' ritual. People in the story usually test it out, not fully believing it at first.

Self - discovery is another theme. Mary Oliver's characters, whether human or animal - like in her more fable - like short stories, are often on a journey of understanding themselves. They learn about their place in the world, their purpose, and how they fit into the larger scheme of things. This is seen in many of her works where the protagonist has an 'aha' moment about their own identity.

Mary's children stories have a variety of themes. Some of them are about family values, teaching kids the importance of family through the characters' experiences. Also, there are themes of self - discovery, where the young protagonists learn about themselves during their journeys.

Family relationships are also a major theme. Freeman shows the complex dynamics within families, such as the power struggles between parents and children or between siblings. Also, the theme of isolation is present, as many of her characters feel alone in their situations, whether it's because of their social standing or their personal beliefs.

One common theme was the Great Depression. Many stories depicted the hardships and struggles of the people during that tough economic time. For example, stories might show families losing their jobs and homes.

One common theme is the exploration of power dynamics. In many of his stories, we can see how power is exerted, whether it's in a colonial context or in more personal relationships.