Themes

The main theme of the short story “Hop-Frog” by Edgar Allan Poe is that of overcoming or transcending one’s condition. This theme is enhanced through using the motif of the weak versus the strong. Other important motifs in the short story are those of friendship, power and wits.

Transcending one’s condition

The short story is constructed around the idea that a person can transcend his condition and innate physical disabilities by being witty and smart.

Hop-Frog, the main character, illustrates this theme. The man was born a dwarf and a cripple and came to hold a humiliating position at a king’s court, that of the fool. However, he managed to transcend his inferior condition against all odds by using his wits to come up with a plan that freed him from the king and helped him get revenge.

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Motifs

The theme of transcendence is constructed using a classical motif; that of the physically weaker opponent who wins a fight with a stronger, yet less intelligent opponent. This motif is present in the biblical myth of David and Goliath and is often used and explored in art and entertainment, including modern films. 

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