Theme of Social Rejection
This theme is present throughout this collection of stories. It is something that is a big issue even today but was more apparent in the past. In the first story the character of Ridgeway is an outcast because he is not from that place, he is not a local. He also has a sensibility of a poet which leads to the out casting as well. In the second story the character of Jack Oakhurst is an outcast mainly because of his appearance; he is alluring to the opposite sex but frowned upon by his own. He also carries himself different from other people. In the story about Wan Lee there is apparent racism and out casting of people from entirely different backgrounds leading to enormous hatred which is fatal for the character. The Fool of Five Forks is an outcast simply because people decided to make him that. He is a laughing stock of the people. Clara from the seventh story could be considered an outcast as well because of her poetic sensibility and intelligence which is not usual for a woman of that time.
Theme of Love
Love as a theme doesn't fare well in these stories. It is hopeless, foolish and generally useless. In the first story the two main characters Jenny and Ridgeway think that they were in love but realise that they were only caught in the heat of the moment. The Fool of Five Forks is foolishly in love with a woman that doesn't care for him and makes him a fool until his very end. In the story of Fiddletown the Colonel Starbottle is in love with the poet but she only married him to keep other men away.
Theme of Motherhood
This theme is central in the story An Episode of Fiddletown. It questions what real motherhood is all about and proves that it isn't just giving birth to someone but it is the sacrifice that a mother makes for her child that matters the most.
