In Of Great Place by Francis Bacon we have the theme of social status, freedom, power, respect, identity and self-sacrifice. Taken from his Essays, Civil and Moral collection the reader realises from the beginning of the essay that Bacon may be exploring the theme of social status. Bacon considers those who strive for a higher […]

In I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr. we have the theme of freedom, hope, inequality, segregation, dignity and racism. Taken from his speech which was delivered at the Lincoln Monument, Washington D.C. on 28th August 1963 the reader realises after reading the speech that King may be exploring the theme of freedom. […]

In I Stand Here Ironing by Tillie Olsen we have the theme of helplessness, struggle, coming of age and confidence. Narrated in the first person by Emily’s mother it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Emily’s mother feels helpless. She has struggled in life with her first husband leaving her and […]

In Only the Dead Know Brooklyn by Thomas Wolfe we have the theme of connection, conflict, self-importance and identity. Taken from his The Complete Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Wolfe may be exploring the theme of […]

In On Finding Things by E.V. Lucas we have the theme of happiness, good fortune, enthusiasm and deception. Taken from his Adventures and Enthusiasms collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Lucas may be exploring the theme of happiness. Lucas finds great joy in finding things. Particularly things that cannot be traced back […]

In The Dead Man by Horacio Quiroga we have the theme of acceptance, mortality, fear, loneliness, helplessness and connection. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Quiroga may be exploring the theme of acceptance. The man lying by the wire fence has difficulty accepting that […]

In The Continuity of Parks by Julio Cortázar we have the theme of escape, responsibility, love, greed and betrayal. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Cortázar may be exploring the theme of escape. The owner of the estate is keen to finish […]

In Reflections in a Cell by Mafika Gwala we have the theme of frustration, brutality, honesty, trust, delinquency and independence. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Gwala may be exploring the theme of frustration. There is a sense that the narrator feels […]