Short Story Reviews
In A Gorilla in the Guest Room by Gerald Durrell we have the theme of trust, fear, anxiety, connection, control, equality, freedom and responsibility. Narrated in the first person by Durrell himself the reader realises after reading the story that Durrell may be exploring the theme of trust. N’Pongo unlike Nandy trusts Durrell and if […]
Read moreIn The Gold Frame by R.K. Laxman we have the theme of deception, dishonesty, independence, responsibility and fear. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Laxman may be exploring the theme of deception. Datta having destroyed the customer’s photograph begins to hatch a plan together […]
Read moreIn Fate by Saki we have the theme of aspirations, class, shame, deceit, appearance and fear. 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 aspirations. […]
Read moreIn Shiloh by Bobbie Ann Mason we have the theme of change, courage, independence, loss, conflict, insecurity, determination and uncertainty. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Mason may be exploring the theme of change. Norma Jean wants to end her marriage to Leroy. It […]
Read moreIn The Blind Spot by Saki we have the theme of determination, trust, selfishness, loyalty, control, connection, justice and class. Taken from his The 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 Saki may be exploring the theme […]
Read moreIn Firefly by Adewale Maja-Pearce we have the theme of conflict, independence, connection, pride, struggle and separation. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Maja-Pearce may be exploring the theme of conflict. Both parents are arguing over their life in the city with the wife […]
Read moreIn Flight by Sindiwe Magona we have the theme of connection, tradition, freedom, fear, desperation and determination. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed woman who is looking back on an incident when she was a child it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Magona may be exploring the theme […]
Read moreIn Out of Darkness by Alex la Guma we have the theme of sympathy, alienation, happiness, letting go, loneliness and acceptance. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed male the reader realises after reading the story that la Guma may be exploring the theme of sympathy. Through listening to Old Cockroach’s’ story the reader […]
Read moreIn Uncle Ben’s Choice by Chinua Achebe we have the theme of fear, superstition, anxiety, alienation, control, change and acceptance. Taken from his Girls at War and Other Stories collection the story is narrated in the first person by a man called Ben and it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that […]
Read moreIn The Journey by Barrie Hough we have the theme of friendship, fear, connection, helplessness, control, equality and perseverance. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Hough may be exploring theme of friendship. Thembi and Johan have a very special connection with […]
Read moreIn The Memsahib of Mandla by Khushwant Singh we have the theme of opportunity, independence, freedom, fear, control and mortality. Taken from his The Portrait of a Lady and Other Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Singh may […]
Read moreIn Teenage Wasteland by Anne Tyler we have the theme of blame, authority, fear, rebellion, trust and control. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Tyler may be exploring the theme of blame. Daisy in many ways blames herself for the bad attitude that Donny […]
Read moreIn A Love Affair in London by Khushwant Singh we have the theme of conflict, connection, loneliness and isolation. Taken from his The Portrait of a Lady and Other Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Singh may be […]
Read moreIn An Angel in Disguise by T.S. Arthur we have the theme of kindness, gratitude, caring, change and happiness. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Arthur may be exploring the theme of kindness. Both Joe and Jane take Maggie into their home though she […]
Read moreIn The Shawl by Cynthia Ozick we have the theme of conflict, control, trust, innocence and struggle. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Ozick may be exploring the theme of conflict. Rosa is conflicted as she is walking towards the concentration camp. She wants […]
Read moreIn House Opposite by R.K. Narayan we have the theme of judgement, discomfort, connection, pity, selfishness and kindness. Taken from his Under the Banyan Tree and Other Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Narayan may be exploring the […]
Read moreIn The Watchman by R.K. Narayan we have the theme of independence, tradition, desperation, loss, hope and connection. Taken from his Under the Banyan Tree and Other Stories collection the reader realises after reading the story that Narayan may be exploring the theme of independence. The watchman has no understanding as to why the girl […]
Read moreIn On Habits by A.G. Gardiner we have the theme of routine, independence, anxiety, control, change and jealousy. Taken from his Windfalls collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Gardiner may be exploring the theme of routine. Gardiner finds himself at a loss without his pencil. It is the tool he uses for […]
Read moreIn On Saying Please by A.G. Gardiner we have the theme of courtesy, civility, morality, responsibility and control. Taken from his Many Furrows collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Gardiner may be exploring the theme of courtesy and the benefits of being courteous to others. The story of the lift-man and his […]
Read moreIn The Other Side of the Hedge by E.M. Forster we have the theme of acceptance, letting go, conflict and failure. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Forster may be exploring the theme of acceptance. The narrator does not accept the position he finds […]
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