1. Imagination and Reality: The story explores the blurred lines between imagination and reality. The children's imagination runs wild, particularly Bertha's, who conjures up terrifying tales, leading to a blurring of what is real and what is not. This theme is further highlighted by the ambiguous ending where the reader is left to wonder if the "horrible" events were real or imagined.
2. The Power of Storytelling: The story emphasizes the power of storytelling, especially when it comes to instilling fear and fascination. The children's fears are heightened by the storyteller's vivid descriptions and unsettling tales. This highlights the potency of language and imagination in shaping our perceptions and experiences.
3. Control and Power: The story subtly explores the themes of control and power. The storyteller, through his stories, attempts to exert control over the children's imagination and behavior. The children, particularly Bertha, resist this control by conjuring up their own disturbing narratives. This power struggle between storyteller and audience reveals the complexities of human interaction and the desire for control.
4. The Unsettling Nature of the Unknown: The story touches upon the inherent fear of the unknown and the unsettling nature of the unfamiliar. The storyteller's tales are filled with ambiguous and unsettling events, evoking a sense of unease and dread in the children. This highlights our natural inclination to fear what we do not understand or control.
5. The Importance of Perspective: The story ultimately emphasizes the importance of perspective. The children's anxieties and fears are largely influenced by the storyteller's narratives. However, the ambiguity of the ending allows the reader to interpret the events from their own perspective, questioning the nature of reality and the power of imagination.
Overall, "The Storyteller" by Walter de la Mare is a multifaceted story exploring the complex relationship between imagination, reality, storytelling, control, and the unsettling nature of the unknown.