All in Craft
The critical questions to ask, when considering whether to include a prologue: Is it necessary? Does it pique the reader’s interest in the main story? Does it provide information the reader needs to know before entering the main story? Could the information be included as a chapter in the main story?
Tropes. They’re in your stories without even trying So put ‘em to work.
When a motif works on multiple levels--telegraphing the inner desires or fears of characters, setting mood, and conveying the theme--it can make the story resonate deeply.