In The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu we have the theme of resentment, connection, culture, identity, prejudice, acceptance, struggle and love. Narrated in the first person by a man called Jack the reader realises after reading the story that Liu may be exploring the theme of resentment. Jack though he has had a happy childhood […]

In Mrs Mahmood by Segun Afolabi we have the theme of fear, regret, insecurity, discontent, love, connection and escape. Narrated in the first person by a man called Mr Mahmood the reader realises after reading the story that Afolabi may be exploring the theme of fear. Mr Mahmood though living a comfortable life has fears […]

In The Plantation by Ovo Adagha we have the theme of tradition, modernity, greed, poverty and corruption. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reader the story that Adagha may be exploring the theme of tradition. Namidi spends his day working on his plantation. Something which would be considered […]

In Fluke by Romesh Gunesekera we have the theme of trust, privacy, conflict, independence and prosperity. Narrated in the first person by a man called Vasabtha the reader realises after reading the story that Gunesekera may be exploring the theme of conflict. Throughout Mr Weerakoon’s journey to the conference centre and when he is in […]

In When it Happens by Margaret Atwood we have the theme of fear, isolation, connection, control, conflict and struggle. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Atwood may be exploring the theme of fear. Mrs Burridge appears to live her life in fear. She is […]

In Showing the Flag by Jane Gardam we have the theme of abandonment, resilience, love, insecurity and trust. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Gardam may be exploring the theme of abandonment. Philip feels as though he has been abandoned by his mother. Something […]

In The Axe by Penelope Fitzgerald we have the theme of dedication, fear, injustice, acceptance, responsibility and guilt. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Fitzgerald may be exploring the theme of dedication. The narrator though he has been forced to dismiss Singlebury still feels […]

In Haywards Heath by Aminatta Forna we have the theme of connection, commitment, letting go, happiness, acceptance and loss. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Forna may be exploring the theme of connection. Attila despite the passing of time has never forgotten about Rosie […]

In Words by Carol Shields we have the theme of language, connection, powerlessness, frustration, global warming, love and sacrifice. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Shields may be exploring the theme of language. Prior to falling in love with one another both Ian and […]

In A Visit by Anna Kavan we have the theme of connection, desire, loneliness, letting go, isolation, contentment, responsibility and companionship. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed woman the reader realises after reading the story that Kavan may be exploring the theme of connection. There is a sense that rather than being afraid […]

In The Tower by Marghanita Laski we have the theme of fear, control, freedom, perseverance, independence and change. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Laski may be exploring the theme of fear. Through the setting Laski manages to highlight to the reader the fear […]

In The Black Ball by Ralph Ellison we have the theme of struggle, equality, hope and connection. Narrated in the first person by a man called John the reader realises after reading the story that Ellison may be exploring the theme of struggle. John seems to struggle through life. He is conscious of the fact […]

In Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment by Nathaniel Hawthorne we have the theme of renewal, vanity, power, greed, lust, wisdom, self-importance, selfishness and ignorance. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Hawthorne may be exploring the theme of renewal. Each of the characters who drink the water […]

In Death of the Laird’s Jock by Walter Scott we have the theme of conflict, honour, defiance, family and connection. Narrated in the form of a letter (an epistolary narrative) it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Scott may be exploring the theme of conflict. Both internal and external. The internal […]

In Nick by Christina Rossetti we have the theme of discontent, jealousy, insecurity, redemption and change. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Rossetti may be exploring the theme of discontent. Despite having many comforts Nick appears to be dissatisfied with his life. […]

In The Widow’s Might by Charlotte Perkins Gilman we have the theme of independence, struggle, control, freedom, determination and duty. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Gilman may be exploring the theme of independence. Mrs McPherson since her husband’s illness and eventual death has […]

In And Women Must Weep by Henry Handel Richardson we have the theme of confidence, acceptance, innocence, appearance, insecurity, control, rejection and failure. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Richardson may be exploring the theme of confidence. Dolly prior to going to the ball […]

In The Woman’s Rose by Olive Schreiner we have the theme of authority, jealousy, appearance, insecurity, control and connection. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed woman the reader realises after reading the story that Schreiner may be exploring the theme of authority. The narrator has felt bound by the authority of men for […]