Escaping Reality
Mysterious Kor is essentially a story about escaping reality to pursue happiness in an imaginary place. In the middle of bombed-out London, Pepita imagines being in the fictitious city of Kor. A stark contrast to London, it is empty, quiet, and structurally perfect. Dreaming, therefore, is Pepita's strategy to escape the dire reality, which shows that she has given up on real goals to pursue her happiness. Similarly, her virginal roommate Callie imagines being part of Pepita's and Arthur's relationship, as she is too shy and reserved to pursue happiness in a real relationship.
Separation and Isolation
The theme of separation and isolation appears throughout the short story: There are the three French soldiers, separated from their home country, looking for a place to stay, when a group of air raid wardens crosses their path without assisting or even just greeting them. There are the crowded bars, where Arthur has to protect his girlfriend Pepita, because the people around them are too inconsiderate and knock her off his arm. Finally, there is Pepita, who isolates herself from Arthur and her surroundings by seeking refuge in her imaginary city of Kor. Her roommate Callie prefers to stay alone as well, as she does not go out to meet other people.
Being British in the Midst of War
Due to her Anglo-Irish background, Bowen is known to have developed the ability to portray typical and at times exaggerated English characters, respecting their classical impersonality and good form with an aristocratic touch that is even maintained in the direst of circumstances. In Mysterious Kor, this character is Callie, who displays an overly correct sense of manners: For example, anticipating the arrival of a male guest, she sets the table very early, keeps the kettle "just short of the boil," and binds her braids in a coronet around her head. Respecting the rules of the house, she switches off the radio at half past 10, preserving a sense of order in the chaotic time of World War II.
