Short Story Reviews
In The Umbrella by Guy de Maupassant we have the theme of fear, loss, independence, control, appearance and satisfaction. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that de Maupassant may be exploring the theme of fear. Mme Oreille is afraid to go to the Insurance Office. She fears what may happen […]
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In French Joe by W. Somerset Maugham we have the theme of connection, betrayal, disillusion, contentment and misfortune. Taken from his Collected Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Maugham may be exploring the theme of connection. The narrator feels a connection with […]
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In Rejection by Mariama Bâ we have the theme of abuse, gender inequality, control, blame, rejection, acceptance, freedom and anger. Narrated in the form of an epistolary narrative the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Bâ may be exploring the theme of abuse. Modou’s relationship with Binetou is inappropriate (going by western standards) and if anything Modou […]
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In Mercury by D.H. Lawrence we have the theme of paralysis, desire, selfishness, individualism and fear. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Lawrence may be exploring the theme of paralysis. None of the crowd on top of Merkur do anything of interest. It is as though they are paralysed […]
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In The Crow by Charles Mungoshi we have the theme of obsession, fear, brutality, control and relief. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed young boy it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Mungoshi may be exploring the theme of obsession. Both the narrator and Chiko are obsessed with killing the crow. If anything they […]
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In The Story of Nosente by Nosente of Umgqwashe we have the theme of marriage, acceptance, control and change. Narrated in the first person by an elderly woman called Nosente the story is translated by Monica Hunter and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Nosente may be exploring the theme of marriage. Nosente is not allowed […]
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In Deportation at Breakfast by Larry Fondation we have the theme of conflict, uncertainty, change and identity. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Fondation may be exploring the theme of conflict. There is a sense that the narrator is in conflict with himself. He is uncertain as to what […]
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In About Love by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of connection, honour, loss, letting go, acceptance and love. Taken from his Complete Short Stories collection the story for the main is narrated in the first person by a man called Pavel and after reading the story the reader realises that Chekhov may be exploring the theme of connection. Pavel […]
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In On the World We Live In by A.G. Gardiner we have the theme of individuality, loneliness, escape, fear, happiness and connection. Taken from his Pebbles on the Shore collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Gardiner may be exploring the individuality or the individual worlds that everyone lives in. Gardiner suggests that these may be lonely worlds […]
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In The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry we have the theme of exhaustion, control, hyperactivity, justice and innocence. Taken from his Selected Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the first person by a man called Sam (kidnapper) and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Sam and Bill, particular Bill, are mentally exhausted […]
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In Father Wakes Up the Village by Clarence Day we have the theme of determination, satisfaction, pride, control and efficiency. Taken from his Life with Father collection the story is narrated in the first person by Day himself and after reading the story the reader realises that Day may be exploring the theme of determination. Day’s father when he finds […]
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In Uncle Podger Hangs a Picture by Jerome K. Jerome we have the theme of gender roles, responsibility, inequality, control, ignorance and independence. Taken from his Three Men in a Boat collection the reader realises after reading the story that Jerome may be exploring the theme of gender roles. There does not appear to be anybody in the house, especially […]
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In Settling on the Land by Henry Lawson we have the theme of hardship, determination, acceptance and regret. Taken from his While the Billy Boils collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Lawson may be exploring the theme of hardship. Tom Hopkins when […]
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In April Showers by Edith Wharton we have the theme of connection, responsibilities, struggle, identity, loss, determination, disappointment and jealousy. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Wharton may be exploring the theme of connection. Though Theodora has much work to do she remains connected to her family and her […]
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In Woman by G.K. Chesterton we have the theme of gender roles, chauvinism and embarrassment. Taken from his All Things Considered collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Chesterton may be in dispute with the opposite sex. He feels as though they have a place at home (and nowhere else). They are subservient to the man of the […]
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In Letter to Adolf Hitler by Mahatma Gandhi we have the theme of imperialism, aspirations, violence and independence. Taken from his Selected Letters collection the reader realises after reading the letter that Gandhi may be exploring the theme of imperialism. As he writes to Hitler, Gandhi reminds Hitler that the British have ruled over one-fifth of the world’s population. It […]
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In On Spendthrifts by A.G. Gardiner we have the theme of generosity, sympathy, selfishness and control. Taken from his Pebbles on the Shore collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Gardiner may be exploring the theme of generosity. Gardiner argues that those who are spendthrifts are generous to a fault. They will help friends and buy things for […]
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In On the Top Note by A.G. Gardiner we have the theme of exaggeration, language, connection, alienation and control. Taken from his Many Furrows collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Gardiner may be exploring the theme of exaggeration. Pamela appears to like exaggerating things when it comes to her use of words. Something that annoys Reginald who […]
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In On the Edge of a Plain by Henry Lawson we have the theme of happiness, freedom, connection, and independence. Taken from his While the Billy Boils collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Lawson may be exploring the theme of happiness. Mitchell’s […]
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In The Husband by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of escape, hope, happiness, paralysis, fear and control. Taken from his 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. The ladies in the town look […]
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In Art by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of control, glory, selfishness, triumph and fear. 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 control. Seryozhka likes to control Matvey when it comes […]
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In The First Day of School by William Saroyan we have the theme of fear, pride, connection and happiness. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Saroyan may be exploring the theme of fear. Jim is afraid to go to school. He does not want to go nor […]
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In the essay In Praise of Chess by A.G. Gardiner we have the theme of satisfaction, happiness, enthusiasm, contentment, privilege, class and old-age. Taken from his Pebbles on the Shore collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Gardiner may be exploring the theme of satisfaction. Gardiner considers a game of chess to be the most satisfying thing in […]
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In On Ignorance by Hilaire Belloc we have the theme of ignorance, passion, deflection, shame, appearance, tomfoolery and after reading the essay it becomes clear to the reader that Belloc is exploring the theme of passion. Should an individual find themselves ignorant of facts among an audience of others Belloc believes passion is a sure solution to any embarrassment that […]
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In All About a Dog by A.G. Gardiner we have the theme of determination, class, resentment, control, power, defiance and change. Taken from his Leaves in the Wind collection the story is narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator and the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Gardiner may be exploring the theme of determination. […]
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