In Señor Payroll by William E. Barrett we have the theme of control, power, determination, connection and acceptance. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed man the reader realises after reading the story that Barrett may be exploring the theme of control. The Main Office of the company seems to want to rein in the Mexican workers and stop […]

In My Financial Career by Stephen Leacock we have the theme of anxiety, fear, trust, confusion, identity and conflict. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Leacock may be exploring the theme of anxiety. The narrator is physically ‘rattling’ as he enters the bank. It is as though […]

In Raymond’s Run by Toni Cade Bambara we have the theme of respect, dedication, identity, love, acceptance, responsibility, confidence, connection, rivalry and friendship. Taken from her Gorilla, My Love collection the story is narrated in the first person by a young girl called Squeaky and after reading the story the reader realises that Bambara may be exploring the theme of […]

In The Sound Machine by Roald Dahl we have the theme of obsession, instability, fear and dedication. 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 Dahl may be exploring the theme of obsession. Klausner spends his entire time with […]

In Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl we have the theme of acceptance, gender roles, deceit, change and control. 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 Dahl may be exploring the theme of acceptance. Mary accepts what […]

In The Will of Allah by David Owoyele we have the theme of acceptance, trust, appearance, violence, guilt and selfishness. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Owoyele may be exploring the theme of acceptance. Sule is quite content to be a thief. Something that is noticeable while he is […]

In The Apprentice by Odun Balogun we have the theme of independence, loss, change, acceptance, tradition, connection, freedom, conflict and struggle. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Balogun may be exploring the theme of independence. Ogunmola by refusing to go to school is displaying an element […]

In The Coffee-Cart Girl by Ezekiel Mphahlele we have the theme of conflict, jealousy, equality, pity, struggle, kindness, acceptance, independence and strength. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Mphahlele may be exploring the theme of conflict. Not only is there conflict between the workers and the police outside the […]

In The Contest by Annie Proulx we have the theme of independence, rivalry, humility, connection, determination, isolation, acceptance and education. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Proulx may be exploring the theme of isolation. Elk Tooth seems to be in the middle of nowhere. None of […]

In Ming’s Biggest Prey by Patricia Highsmith we have the theme of connection, jealousy, conflict, trust, acceptance, vulnerability and independence. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Highsmith may be exploring the theme of connection. Ming and Elaine on several occasions in the story show each other affection. Also Elaine […]