Short Story Reviews
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 […]
Read moreIn 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 […]
Read moreIn 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 […]
Read moreIn 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, […]
Read moreIn 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. […]
Read moreIn 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 […]
Read moreIn 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 […]
Read moreIn 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 […]
Read moreIn 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 […]
Read moreIn 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 […]
Read moreIn 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 […]
Read moreIn 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. […]
Read moreIn 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 […]
Read moreIn 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 […]
Read moreIn 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 […]
Read moreIn 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 […]
Read moreIn 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 […]
Read moreIn 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 […]
Read moreIn 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 […]
Read moreIn On Cats and Dogs by A.G. Gardiner we have theme of loyalty, friendship, trust, companionship and independence. Taken from his Pebbles on the Shore collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Gardiner may be exploring the theme of loyalty. Gardiner believes that dogs are more loyal than any cat will ever be. […]
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