Short Story Reviews
In One Summer Night by Ambrose Bierce we have the theme of acceptance, mortality, determination, experience and fear. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator it becomes clear to the reader from the beginning of the story that Bierce may be exploring the theme of acceptance. Though buried alive and it would seem without any ability to free […]
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In On Possession by A.G. Gardiner we have the theme of ownership, exclusivity, selfishness, pride and pleasure. Taken from his Windfalls collection the reader realizes from the beginning of the essay that Gardiner may be exploring the theme of ownership. The woman who has been to various parts of the world likes to share her thoughts on her excursions. However […]
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In The Aged Mother by Matsuo Basho we have the theme of power, selfishness, honesty, forgiveness, wisdom, love and change. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator it becomes clear to the reader from the beginning of the story that Basho may be exploring the theme of power. The ruler of Shining abuses his power by requesting that […]
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In A Temporary Matter by Jhumpa Lahiri we have the theme of loss, connection, honesty, guilt and moving on. Taken from her Interpreter of Maladies collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realizes that Lahiri may be exploring the theme of loss. Shoba and Shukumar have lost […]
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In The Treatment of Bibi Haldar by Jhumpa Lahiri we have the theme of isolation, loneliness, independence, selfishness, gender and happiness. Taken from her Interpreter of Maladies collection the story is narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story the reader realizes that Lahiri may be exploring the theme of isolation. Bibi […]
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In The Boy Who Painted Christ Black by John Henrik Clarke we have the theme of race, freedom, pride, arrogance, connection and dignity. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes after reading the story that Clarke may be exploring the theme of race. Aaron’s painting of Christ causes problems for him and the principal George […]
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In The Bamboo Blind by Seema Jena we have the theme of marriage, control, equality, patriarchy, freedom, acceptance, paralysis and escape. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator it becomes clear to the reader from the beginning of the story that Jena may be exploring the theme of marriage. Razia and Razak are married and Razia is unhappy. […]
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In A Death in the Stadium by Robert Nathan we have the theme of mortality, voyeurism, acceptance, fascination, entertainment and satisfaction. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Nathan may be exploring the theme of mortality. The narrator along with his friend have gone to the stadium to […]
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In Women Not the Weaker Sex by Mahatma Gandhi we have the theme of equality, objectivity, control, justice and sacrifice. Taken from his The Mind of Mahatma Gandhi collection it becomes clear to the reader after reading the essay that Gandhi may be exploring the theme of equality. Gandhi argues that women are the equal of men and are in […]
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In At The High School by Mahatma Gandhi we have the theme of education, happiness, responsibility, humility, tradition, struggle, writing and language. Taken from his autobiography, The Story of My Experiments with Truth, the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Gandhi is exploring the theme of education. For most part Gandhi’s High School education is a happy […]
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In My Greatest Olympic Prize by Jesse Owens we have the theme of nationalism, propaganda, struggle, kindness, friendship and participation and from the beginning of the essay the reader realises that Owens may be exploring the theme of nationalism. It is 1936 and the Berlin Olympics are underway. These Olympics were Hitler’s way of showing off to the world how […]
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In Old Bapu by Mulk Raj Anand we have the theme of mortality, struggle, desperation, reliance, fear and hope. Taken from his The Power of Darkness 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 Anand may be exploring the theme of […]
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In Playin With Punjab by Toni Cade Bambara we have the theme of power, fear, struggle, equality, responsibility and sacrifice. Taken from her Gorilla, My Love collection the story is narrated in the first person by a young black girl called Violet and from the beginning of the story it becomes clear to the reader that Bambara may be exploring […]
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In Happy Birthday by Toni Cade Bambara we have the theme of connection, control, desperation, identity, honesty, aspirations and recognition. Taken from her Gorilla, My Love collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Bambara may be exploring the theme of connection. Ollie, the […]
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In Talkin Bout Sonny by Toni Cade Bambara we have the theme of violence, acceptance, conflict, responsibility and denial. Taken from her Gorilla, My Love collection the story is narrated in the first person by a young woman called Betty Butler and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Bambara may be exploring the theme of violence. […]
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In A Piece of Wood by Ray Bradbury we have the theme of conflict, peace and hope. Taken from his The Stories of Ray Bradbury collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Bradbury is exploring two types of conflict, internal and external. The […]
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In The Last Night of the World by Ray Bradbury we have the theme of acceptance, conflict, routine and powerlessness. Taken from his The Stories of Ray Bradbury collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Bradbury may be exploring the theme of acceptance. Neither the […]
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In The Silver Bangles by Mulk Raj Anand we have the theme of jealousy, patriarchy, connection, insecurity and anger. Taken from his Lajwanti 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 Anand may be exploring the theme of jealousy. Gopi is […]
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In Property by Bessie Head we have the theme of control, power, anxiety, greed, independence and change. Taken from her Tales of Tenderness and Power collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Head may be exploring the theme of control. The husband does […]
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In Sweet Town by Toni Cade Bambara we have the theme of connection, loss, coming of age, freedom and letting go. Taken from her Gorilla, My Love collection the story is narrated in the first person by a woman called Kit who is looking back on the summer of her fifteenth year. Immediately the reader senses that Kit likes adventure. […]
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