# Fear and Paranoia in Short Fiction

> Theme guide for Short Fiction by Philip K. Dick.

Fear drives characters' actions, from the Martian inspection in 'The Crystal Crypt' to the protagonist's terror in 'The Hanging Stranger' and the wartime anxiety in 'The Defenders,' reflecting a pervasive sense of threat.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Eyes Have It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_43_se/chapters/the-eyes-have-it): The narrator's growing horror and suspicion reflect a paranoid mindset, seeing threats in ordinary language and behavior.
- [The Hanging Stranger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_43_se/chapters/the-hanging-stranger): Loyce's growing fear and suspicion of everyone around him, culminating in a violent attack on a stranger.
- [Second Variety](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_43_se/chapters/second-variety): The group's suspicion of each other and the constant threat of infiltration by the claws create an atmosphere of pervasive fear.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_43_se/themes/fear_and_paranoia
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_43_se/themes