What is the theme in Up in the Old Hotel and Other Stories by Joseph Mitchell?

Lack of self-acceptance is an important theme. Several of the people Mitchell meets have had trouble reconciling themselves to their situations in life. The biggest example of this was Jane Barnell, who had spent most of her life working as the bearded lady in various circuses and sideshows. Jane's lack of self-acceptance likely stems from her mother's attitude. As a child, her bearded state had been evident and her mother had taken her to various people, hoping that someone could "conjure" up a cure for the condition.