In The House of Asterion by Jorge Luis Borges we have the theme of isolation, loneliness, connection, fear, escape, mortality and freedom. Taken from his Labyrinths collection the reader realises after reading the story that Borges is using the myth of the Minator as a template. Though rather than others being the primary narrator Asterion, who is a minatour, is […]

In The Wedge-Tailed Eagle by Geoffrey Dutton we have the theme of respect, revenge, control, skill and remorse. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator it becomes clear to the reader from the beginning of the story that Dutton may be exploring the theme of respect. Both pilots when they are talking to the farmer scorn the farmer […]

The theme of love is self-evident in the story and there is no disputing that the laundress loved the mayor’s brother. However due to the opinion of the mayor’s mother the laundress was not allowed to marry the brother. She believed that the laundress was not the equal of her son. This too is significant as the mayor’s mother appears […]

In 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. Day’s father when he finds […]

In 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 anybody in the house, especially […]

In 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 to her family and her […]

In 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 of the world’s population. It […]

In 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 not want to go nor […]