Short Story Reviews
In The Darling by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of dependency, independence, identity, devotion, fear, paralysis and insecurity. 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 Chekhov may be exploring the theme of […]
Read moreIn Vanka by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of desperation, innocence, compassion, suffering and commitment. 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 just how desperate Vanka is to return home to his grandfather. […]
Read moreIn The Pendulum by O. Henry we have the theme of repetition, appreciation, remorse, guilt, change, paralysis, selfishness and dependency. Taken from his Selected 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 Henry may be exploring the theme […]
Read moreIn The Lottery Ticket by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of hope, aspiration, selfishness, power, greed, control, freedom and satisfaction. 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 Chekhov may be […]
Read moreIn The Student by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of connection, paralysis, equality, hope, change, optimism and belief. 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 Chekhov is using the setting […]
Read moreIn After Twenty Years by O. Henry we have the theme of friendship, change, guilt and dedication or loyalty. 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 friendship. Bob […]
Read moreIn A Telephone Call by Dorothy Parker we have the theme of desperation, insecurity, uncertainty, independence, paralysis, control, dependency, change and identity. Taken from her Complete Stories collection the story is narrated in the first person by an unnamed woman and from the beginning of the the story the reader realises that Parker may be […]
Read moreIn Village People by Bessie Head we have the theme of poverty, conflict, kindness, struggle, acceptance, desperation and connection. Taken from her Tales of Tenderness and Power collection the story is narrated by several different narrators and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Head may be exploring the theme of poverty […]
Read moreIn The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant we have the theme of materialism, insecurity, discontent, happiness, sacrifice, selflessness, desperation and humility. 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 de Maupassant may be exploring […]
Read moreIn The Confession by Guy de Maupassant we have the theme of commitment, regret, guilt, jealousy, loss, grief, forgiveness and acceptance. Taken from his The Collected Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that de Maupassant may be exploring the […]
Read moreIn Difficult People by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of control, conflict, anger, determination, resentment, escape, connection, acceptance and change. 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 Chekhov may be exploring the […]
Read moreIn Certain Winds from the South by Ama Ata Aidoo we have the theme of struggle, hardship, strength, unity, silence, choice, resilience and perseverance. Taken from her No Sweetness and Other Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person though for the majority of the story it is a conversational piece. What is […]
Read moreIn A Blunder by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of aspirations, desperation, marriage, tradition and independence. 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 Chekhov may be exploring the theme of aspirations. Both […]
Read moreIn Gooseberries by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of paralysis, greed, selfishness, control, ego, aspirations, power and change. Taken from his The Complete Short Stories collection the story is a framed narrative written firstly in the third person and then in the first person. What is also striking about the story is the sense […]
Read moreIn A Misfortune by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of control, ego, love, selfishness, guilt, honesty and conflict. 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 Chekhov may be exploring the theme of […]
Read moreIn Hush! by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of dedication, sacrifice, fear, frustration, selfishness, aspirations, writing 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 Chekhov may be exploring the theme of […]
Read moreIn The Lady with the Dog by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of infidelity, trust, guilt, respect, compassion, ego, escape, love and secrecy. 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 […]
Read moreIn Champagne by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of loneliness, discontent, bitterness, loyalty, escape, self-pity, temptation and infidelity. Taken from his The Complete Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the first person by a man called Nicolas and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Chekhov may be exploring […]
Read moreIn The Beggar by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of change, dishonesty, alcoholism, kindness, compassion, desperation, struggle, selflessness and gratitude. 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 Chekhov may be […]
Read moreIn The Trousseau by Anton Chekhov we have the theme of fear, apprehension, hope, aspiration, selfishness and marriage. Taken from his The Complete Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Chekhov may be exploring the theme […]
Read more