A Piece of Chalk by G. K. Chesterton

In A Piece of Chalk by G. K. Chesterton we have the theme of desire, prudence, resilience, happiness, independence and ingenuity and very early on in the essay the reader realises the Chesterton may be exploring the theme of desire. Chesterton wishes to walk out on the fields and do some drawing. Not the typical […]

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I Stand Here Ironing by Tillie Olsen

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 […]

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Punishment by Rabindranath Tagore

In Punishment by Rabindranath Tagore we have the theme of conflict, power, control, trust, acceptance, sacrifice, loyalty and honesty. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story and right through to the end that Tagore may be exploring the theme of conflict. Chandara and Radha […]

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A Birthday by Katherine Mansfield

In A Birthday by Katherine Mansfield we have the theme of responsibility, selfishness, gender roles, appearance, suffering and paralysis. Taken from her In a German Pension collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Mansfield may be exploring the theme of […]

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Only the Dead Know Brooklyn by Thomas Wolfe

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 […]

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On Finding Things by E.V. Lucas

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 […]

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On Writing an Article by A.G. Gardiner

In On Writing an Article by A.G. Gardiner we have the theme of indecision, habit, confusion and insecurity. Taken from his Pebbles on the Shore collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Gardiner may be exploring the theme of indecision. Gardiner is unable to pick a subject to write an article on. The […]

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A Night’s Lodging by A.G. Gardiner

In A Night’s Lodging by A.G. Gardiner we have the theme of struggle, dedication, enthusiasm, respect and frustration. Taken from his Many Furrows collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Gardiner may be exploring the theme of struggle. Gardiner spends his entire evening trying to make himself comfortable in bed. No matter what […]

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The Bird by Leo Tolstoy

In The Bird by Leo Tolstoy we have the theme of control, freedom, selfishness, responsibility and change. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Tolstoy may be exploring the theme of control. Serozha wants to use his gift from his uncle to control the lives […]

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The Dead Man by Horacio Quiroga

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 […]

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The Tunnel by Ruskin Bond

In The Tunnel by Ruskin Bond we have the theme of curiosity, friendship, dedication, innocence, care and respect. Taken from his Collected Short 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 Bond may be exploring the theme of […]

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Continuity of Parks by Julio Cortázar

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 […]

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Reflections in a Cell by Mafika Gwala

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 […]

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On Approval by Saki (H.H. Munro)

In On Approval by Saki we have the theme of struggle, change, jealousy and loneliness. Taken from his The Complete Short 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 Saki may be exploring the theme of struggle. Knopfschrank […]

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The Catbird Seat by James Thurber

In The Catbird Seat by James Thurber we have the theme of resentment, change, dependency and gender roles. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Martin has a resentment towards Mrs Barrows. Something which some critics might feel is justified considering that Mrs […]

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The Romance of a Busy Broker by O. Henry

In The Romance of a Busy Broker by O. Henry we have the theme of love, conflict, control and gender roles. Taken from his Selected Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Henry may be exploring the theme of […]

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