What is the theme of the story the capture of father time

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Both stories, that is, Frank Baum’s “The Capture of Father Time” and Louisa Alcott’s “Psyche’s Art” have important lessons on emotional maturity. For example, Jim, the son of the cowboy from the rural parts of Arizona got early training on how to handle bulls from his father (Baum). At 12 years of age, Jim encounters an experience that tests not just his skills with the lasso, but also his ability to control situations. While urban children seem to love playing a lot, Jim knows when a game becomes boring. Later when Jim captures Father Time, he demonstrates curiosity about what the old man represents and what would happen if he manipulates some situations in the city before releasing the old man. The courage and confidence with which Jim decides to keep Father Time captive before setting him free shows a level of emotional maturity that would be rare in many children of his age. Moreover, Jim demonstrates the ability to change when the situation requires so.
Similarly, Psyche, who is the protagonist in Alcott’s “Psyche’s Art” demonstrates a great sense of emotional maturity as she grows up. Although highly talented in arts, Psyche faces a huge disappointment from a young man (her suitor) when he tells her that her place is not in a studio but in the kitchen (Alcott). While Psyche had dreamt of becoming a successful artist, her dreams are shattered when she realizes that the society and the people around her are not willing to give her maximum support. Her deep unhappiness makes her stay away from her artistic work for a year (Alcott). This is the stage where Psyche seeks self-awareness to come to terms with her prevailing circumstances. Gradually, she learns that she is happier by being active in domestic duties than in art or in erotic adventures.
Both stories also instill a deep sense of imagination. For instance, Jim imagines how the crippled beggar would react when he sees the $20 gold coin in his hat. He also imagines how the world would be with the element of time in his control. These are amazing imaginations that culminate in important lessons about time and how people take it for granted. Similarly, Psyche’s Art elicits great imaginations as Psyche Dean...