Final answer:
To discern the common theme between two stories, one should look for motifs and symbols that recur throughout the narratives. Hemingway and Fitzgerald's works often deal with human nature and moral complexities, suggesting that themes such as courage, existential conflict, identity, love, and social values could be interwoven. An analysis of these stories' content would be necessary to determine the precise shared theme.
Step-by-step explanation:
The thematic similarities between the two stories suggest that both narratives might be dealing with issues like human nature, ethical dilemmas, or moral lessons. To determine which thematic statement is appropriate, one would need to analyze the stories in context. Looking for motifs, such as recurring elements or symbols, can help reveal the theme. For instance, if the motif of a park representing childhood appears frequently, and later becomes a housing complex, this could signify a theme related to the loss of innocence or the transition to adulthood.
Without the specific content of the two stories in question, it's not possible to definitively choose between the given options (a, b, c, d). Typically, Hemingway's stories, such as those mentioned in the reading and review question (Macomber and Harry), often explore themes like courage in the face of danger or the nature of existential conflicts. Similarly, examining the themes present in Fitzgerald's works, one can identify recurring ideas of money, unattainable love, and individual identity, as noted in the provided reference.
When looking at the commonalities between "A Good Man is Hard to Find" and "Good Country People," it's clear that themes of moral complexity, and the potential for grace or redemption in flawed characters, are present. The Misfit’s final line about a good woman being conditioned by the presence of threat could suggest that people's true nature is often revealed under duress or extreme circumstances.