Fear is benefic
A common motif which can be found in “The Lives of the Fathers” is the idea that fear of God can be something benefic. Fear in this context is presented as having the power to stop a person from falling into sin. Because of this, the narrator urges the reader to cultivate fear of God.
Sexuality is bad
Another common motif found in the stories is the idea that sexuality and sexual desires are always evil and as such should always be avoided. The characters who admit to having sexual desires are always blamed and characterized by evil while those who live a life of austerity will receive God’s approval.
Women are to be blamed for sin
Another common motif found in the stories is the idea that women are the ones responsible for the sins men get involved in. Women are perceived as seductresses and manipulative and because of these men remain blameless when they sin. This idea is a common motif in the stories and can be found in some form or another in every writing.
Blaming others
One common motif which can be found in many stories is the idea of blaming others. Most of the characters refuse to admit that they are responsible for their actions and as such, they try to claim that their actions were the result of another person’s actions. This common motif is found in every story and represents a way through which the characters try to avoid taking responsibility for their actions.
The afterlife
The subject of the afterlife is another common motif in the stories. In fact, for the characters, the afterlife is the only thing that matters. Every action they do is either to make sure they will get into Heaven or at least not end up in Hell. This tense way of living affects many characters and the idea transmitted by the religious leaders is that no matter how much a person tries, it will never be enough.
