Content Warning: This section of the guide includes descriptions of physical abuse, graphic violence, death, and racism.

Hope is a powerful force that can persist despite the most harrowing and insurmountable struggles, and Matheson’s stories are designed to celebrate this idea in a myriad of ways. Although his narratives portray dark images of dystopia, nuclear fallout, and destruction, many of his characters retain a certain resilience and sense of hope that cannot be destroyed. In some cases, this attitude helps the protagonist to gain the necessary strength to solve their problems directly, but in other narratives, optimism is used as a stopgap measure to ward off disheartening circumstances—or worse, to ignore the harsh reality of dystopian surroundings. 

The most optimistic version of this theme can be found in “Dying Room Only,” for Jean finds herself in a particularly difficult situation but does not let her fear show. Instead, she does everything necessary to find and rescue her husband, and she accomplishes her goal despite her terror at being isolated amongst strange and dangerous men. However, most of Matheson's narratives take on a much darker

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