Short Story Reviews
In the short story In a Strange Land by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of animosity, perfection, submission and commitment. Taken from his The Collected Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story it becomes clear to the reader that Chekhov is exploring the theme […]
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In The Insurance Agent by Khushwant Singh we have the theme of identity, uncertainty and sorrow. Taken from his The Collected Stories collection the story is narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story it becomes clear to the reader that Singh may be exploring the theme of identity. Nobody at the […]
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In The Red Tie by Khushwant Singh we have the theme of selfishness, appearance, acceptance, trust, jealousy and honesty . Narrated in both the first person (first section) and third person (second and third section) the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Singh may be exploring the theme of selfishness. Chisti’s positioning of himself by the fire, […]
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In Kusum by Khushwant Singh we have the theme of appearance, sadness, confidence and change. Taken from his Collected Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story it would appear as though Singh is exploring the theme of appearance. Singh details Kusum’s physical appearance and it is […]
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In Flight 303 by Suresh Chopra we have the theme of freedom, appearance, respect, temptation and desperation. Narrated in the first person by a man called Chopsy it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Chopra may be exploring the theme of freedom. Rummy has been caught for a robbery and is travelling back to the U.K […]
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In Maguni’s Bullock Cart by Godavarish Mohapatra we have the theme of loss, struggle, progress, loyalty and fear. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Mohapatra may be exploring the theme of loss. Maguni has died and those in the town who knew him, which is almost everyone, […]
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In The Blue Hills Where the Sun Never Sets by Hugh Gantzer we have the theme of imperialism, change, tradition, power and control. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed woman the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Gantzer may be exploring the theme of imperialism. Life in the mountains has not changed despite India claiming […]
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In Boys by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of escape, fear, connection, adventure and love. Taken from his The Complete Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Chekhov may be exploring the theme of escape and adventure. Volodya and Lentilov want to […]
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In Polinka by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of love, sadness, confusion and grief. Taken from his The Collected Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Chekhov may be exploring the theme of love. Nikolay is very much in love with Polinka […]
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In Darkness by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of struggle, compassion, responsibility, class, acceptance and authority. Taken from his The Collected Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Chekhov may be exploring the theme of struggle. Kirila struggles to persuade the […]
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In A Blaze by Katherine Mansfield we have the theme of friendship, trust, uncertainty, defeat and love. Taken from her In a German Pension collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Mansfield may be exploring the theme of friendship. Victor and Max are close friends. […]
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In The Doctor by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of loss, love, compassion, grief, acceptance, responsibility, selfishness and honesty. Taken from his The Collected Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story it becomes clear to the reader that Chekhov may be exploring the theme of […]
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In Bad Weather by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of restlessness, love, trust, adultery and loyalty. Taken from his The Collected Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Chekhov may be exploring that theme of restlessness. There is no need for Kvashin […]
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In The German Refugee by Bernard Malamud we have the theme of language, letting go, expression, fear, love, insecurity, conflict and depression. Taken from his The Complete Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the first person by a twenty year old man called Martin Goldberg and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Malamud may […]
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In The Transformation of Martin Burney by O. Henry we have the theme of exploitation, control, addiction, struggle, desperation, change and satisfaction. Taken from his Selected Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Henry may be exploring the theme of exploitation. Corrigan as the […]
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In A Home near the Sea by Kamala Das we have the theme of poverty, dreams, jealousy, generosity, loyalty and control. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Das may be exploring the theme of poverty. Arumugham and his wife are homeless and live on the streets. […]
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In The Bet by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of morality, integrity, isolation, materialism, change and desperation. Taken from his Collected Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unknown narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Chekhov may be exploring the theme of morality. The young man forfeits his bet […]
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In At the Barber’s by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of love, loss, misery and change. Taken from his Collected Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Chekhov may be exploring the theme of love. Makar has feelings for Anna, which he […]
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In The Lion and the Sun by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of self-importance, appearance, selfishness and satisfaction. Taken from his Collected Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Chekhov may be exploring the theme of self-importance. Stepan longs for […]
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In A Classical Student by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of fear, intelligence, discipline, selfishness and success. Taken from his Collected Story Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story it is clear that Chekhov is exploring the theme of fear. Vanya’s exams are to take […]
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In The Pounding Room by Bentley Little we have the theme of fear, uncertainty, curiosity, trust and letting go. Narrated in the first person by a man called Charles Nichols it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Little may be exploring the theme of fear. Charles is afraid of the environment he finds himself in. This […]
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In Talent by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of freedom, love, happiness, selfishness, struggle, innocence, escape and failure. Taken from his Collected Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and the reader realises after reading the story that Chekhov may be exploring the theme of freedom. Yegor has fanciful ideas about […]
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In Sixpence by Katherine Mansfield we have the theme of freedom, control, bravery, forgiveness, guilt and uncertainty. Taken from her Something Childish and Other Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Mansfield may be exploring the theme of freedom. Dicky, though his […]
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In Widowed by Katherine Mansfield we have the theme of love, loss, acceptance, happiness, freedom and simplicity. Taken from her The Collected Stories collection the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Mansfield may be exploring the theme of love. Geraldine is very much in love with Jimmie. In many simple ways she admires him to the point […]
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In Mr. and Mrs. Williams by Katherine Mansfield we have theme of happiness, innocence and love. Taken from her The Collected Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and form the beginning of the story the reader realises that Mansfield may be exploring the theme of happiness. Both Gwendolen and Gerald are happy […]
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