Characters estranged from their surroundings

Stories that seem to have nothing in common can be misleading. Ivan Dorin's short story "Outside Edges" and Guy de Maupassant's "The Necklace", have settings roughly 200 years apart, take place on opposite sides of the world, and still depict many similarities. These stories manifest themes of how one can become estranged from the outside world and their surroundings. Stubbornness, obsession and ambition are themes revealed by the authors through use of devices such as character, …

…in style. The authors used themes like stubbornness, obsession and ambition to show how a character can become alienated from their surroundings. These themes also show how people can be affected by the same thing in a different way, and that they should come to grips with reality before it's too late. However, after Mme. Loisel's reality check and David living out his ambition, it seems as though the characters will change for the best.