In Growing Up by Joyce Cary we have the theme of rebellion, control, innocence, isolation, acceptance, change and freedom. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Cary may be exploring the theme of rebellion. Both Jenny and Kate while they are on top of Robert no longer act as the […]

In Once Upon a Time by Nadine Gordimer we have the theme of apartheid, equality, racism, insecurity, freedom, innocence, control and fear. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator (writer) the reader realises after reading the story that Gordimer may be exploring the theme of apartheid. The couple and their son live in a wealthy suburb in whereby […]

In 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 in whereby he attempts to […]

In 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 is not as though she […]

In 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 feeling as though her child […]

In 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 of connection. The narrator feels […]

In 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 manages to feel sorry for […]

In 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 one another despite the fact […]

In 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 has and the bad grades […]

In 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 is crippled and pitied by […]

In 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 to hand Magda to a […]

In 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 writing and regardless of how […]

In 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 pushing of the man out […]

In 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 himself in. He has went […]

In Sparrows by K.A. Abbas we have the theme of cruelty, fear, resentment, tradition, connection, redemption and change. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Abbas may be exploring the theme of cruelty. As Rahim is walking home his neighbours silently talk about how cruel he has been […]

In Toba Tek Singh by Saadat Hasan Manto we have the theme of confusion, identity, separation, change, control and ignorance. Taken from his Kingdom’s End 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 Manto may be exploring the theme of confusion. None of […]

In The Dog of Tithwal by Saadat Hasan Manto we have the theme of conflict, connection, ignorance, pride and struggle. Taken from his Kingdom’s End and Other 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 Manto through the setting may be exploring the […]

In Africa Kills Her Sun by Ken Saro-Wiwa we have the theme of corruption, acceptance, connection, honour and love. Narrated in the first person in the form of an epistolary narrative the reader realises after reading the story that Saro-Wiwa may be exploring the theme of corruption. Throughout Bana’s letter to Zole he mentions the corruption that exists in not […]

In A Devoted Son by Anita Desai we have the theme of gratitude, desire, change, longing, choice, freedom, defiance, loyalty, powerlessness and reliance. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Desai may be exploring the theme of gratitude. Though some might suggest that Varma should be grateful for the attention […]

In The Only American from Our Village by Arun Joshi we have the theme of pride, guilt, arrogance, materialism, appearance, connection, identity and self-importance. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Joshi may be exploring the theme of pride. Kundan Lal is proud of his son Dr Khanna’s achievements. So […]

In The Lady or the Tiger? by Frank R. Stockton we have the theme of control, powerlessness, class, uncertainty, love, jealousy, compassion and acceptance. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Stockton may be exploring the theme of control. The king appears to have complete control over his kingdom and […]

In The Shroud by Premchand we have the theme of selfishness, tradition, honour, independence, guilt, self-importance, gender roles and responsibility. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Premchand may be exploring the theme of selfishness. Both Ghisu and Madhav appear to be more concerned about their own well-being than they are […]

In You Were Perfectly Fine by Dorothy Parker we have the theme of insecurity, guilt, alcoholism, escape, change, love, regret and commitment. Taken from her Complete Stories collection the reader realises after reading the story that Parker may be exploring the theme of insecurity. Peter has absolutely no memory of what has happened the night before due to him being […]

In Companions by Raja Rao we have the theme of sacrifice, torment, acceptance, control, struggle, respect and happiness. Taken from his Collected Stories collection the story is narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Rao may be exploring the theme of sacrifice. Moti endures a life of pain while […]

In Sweat by Zora Neale Hurston we have the theme of struggle, pride, acceptance, infidelity, brutality, control, independence, self-importance and freedom. Taken from her The Complete Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Hurston may be exploring the theme of struggle. Delia does everything […]