In The Sporting Spirit by George Orwell we have the theme of pride, nationalism, jealousy, hatred and passion. Taken from his Shooting an Elephant collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Orwell may be exploring the theme of pride and nationalism. Orwell argues that the sport played by either side may not necessarily be of the utmost importance. […]

In Like Mother, Like Son by Pauline Cartledge we have the theme of unhappiness, desperation, control, dependency and revenge. Narrated in the way of an epistolary narrative the story is only fifty words long and it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Cartledge may be exploring the theme of unhappiness. Taking the first section of the […]

In Death and the Compass by Jorge Luis Borges we have the theme of revenge, murder, mystery and deception. Taken from his Collected Fictions collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Borges is writing a mystery. One in whereby the police may not […]

In The Book of Sand by Jorge Luis Borges we have the theme of curiosity, confusion, addiction, conflict, torment and obsession. Taken from his Collected Fictions collection the story is narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Borges may be exploring the theme of curiosity. The narrator’s curiosity is […]

In Big Brother by Premchand we have the theme of innocence, pride, experience, education, sacrifice and connection. The story itself is narrated in the first person by an unnamed man who is recalling an incident when he was a young boy. It also becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Premchand may be exploring the theme of […]

In The Law of Life by Jack London we have the theme of acceptance, mortality, connection, tradition, loneliness, struggle and selfishness. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that London may be exploring the theme of acceptance. Koskoosh appears to be accepting of the fact that he is going to die. […]

In Forbidden Clothes by Jamila Gavin we have the theme of freedom, obedience, conflict, identity, tradition, culture, rebellion, respect, friendship and acceptance. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Gavin may be exploring the theme of freedom. Nasreen feels free when she is with Louise. She is able to dress […]

In The Blue Bouquet by Octavio Paz we have the theme of conflict, fear, innocence, connection, love and self-importance. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed man the reader realises after reading the story that Paz may be exploring the theme of conflict. The narrator is in conflict with the owner of the boarding house preferring instead to take […]

In Flight by Doris Lessing we have the theme of anger, acceptance, jealousy, conflict, change, independence, letting go and freedom. Taken from her African Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Lessing may be exploring the theme of anger. Alice’s grandfather is angry about […]

In Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell we have the theme of imperialism, control, appearance, trust, conflict, acceptance and values. Taken from his collection of the same name the reader realises after reading the essay that Orwell may be exploring the theme of imperialism. Orwell considers himself to be above the Burmese who he is paid to control. He has […]

In Growing Up by Joyce Cary we have the theme of rebellion, control, innocence, isolation, acceptance, change and freedom. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Cary may be exploring the theme of rebellion. Both Jenny and Kate while they are on top of Robert no longer act as the […]

In Once Upon a Time by Nadine Gordimer we have the theme of apartheid, equality, racism, insecurity, freedom, innocence, control and fear. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator (writer) the reader realises after reading the story that Gordimer may be exploring the theme of apartheid. The couple and their son live in a wealthy suburb in whereby […]