In Only the Dead Know Brooklyn by Thomas Wolfe we have the theme of connection, conflict, self-importance and identity. Taken from his The Complete Short Stories collection the story is narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Wolfe may be exploring the theme of connection or rather the lack […]

In Playing the English Gentleman by Mahatma Gandhi we have the theme of identity, acceptance, change, perception and tradition. Taken from his autobiography The Story of My Experiments with Truth the reader realises after reading the essay that Gandhi may be exploring the theme of identity. There is a sense that Gandhi while a student in England wishes to fit […]

In On Finding Things by E.V. Lucas we have the theme of happiness, good fortune, enthusiasm and deception. Taken from his Adventures and Enthusiasms collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Lucas may be exploring the theme of happiness. Lucas finds great joy in finding things. Particularly things that cannot be traced back to their owner. Things like […]

In The Dead Man by Horacio Quiroga we have the theme of acceptance, mortality, fear, loneliness, helplessness and connection. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Quiroga may be exploring the theme of acceptance. The man lying by the wire fence has difficulty accepting that he is dying. His mind […]

In The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber we have the theme of escape, fantasy, control and happiness. Taken from his My World — And Welcome to It collection, the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Thurber may be exploring the theme of escape and fantasy. Walter while driving into town with his wife is […]

In The Continuity of Parks by Julio Cortázar we have the theme of escape, responsibility, love, greed and betrayal. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Cortázar may be exploring the theme of escape. The owner of the estate is keen to finish off the novel he is […]

In Reflections in a Cell by Mafika Gwala we have the theme of frustration, brutality, honesty, trust, delinquency and independence. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Gwala may be exploring the theme of frustration. There is a sense that the narrator feels frustrated with both life outside […]

In The Catbird Seat by James Thurber we have the theme of resentment, change, dependency and gender roles. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Martin has a resentment towards Mrs Barrows. Something which some critics might feel is justified considering that Mrs Barrows is intent on making […]

In The School for Sympathy by E.V. Lucas we have the theme of thoughtfulness, appreciation, equality, sympathy and humanity. Taken from his A Choice of Essays collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Lucas may be exploring the theme of thoughtfulness. Each child is given a role to play on a daily basis. Some are blind, lame or […]

In The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen we have the theme of hope, struggle, loneliness, resilience, control and longing. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Andersen may be exploring the theme of hope. The Little Match girl is forced to sell matches for her father regardless of […]

In Patriotism and Sport by G.K. Chesterton we have the theme of ignorance, individualism, patriotism and elitism. Taken from his All Things Considered collection the reader realises from the beginning of the essay that Chesterton may be exploring the theme of ignorance. By having newspapers link patriotism to sport Chesterton feels those in power are being ignorant and irresponsible. He […]

In On Doing Nothing by J.B. Priestley we have the theme of peace of mind, laziness, envy, desire and very early on in the essay the reader realises that Priestley may be exploring the theme of peace of mind. Priestley while on the moors with his friend finds a sense of calmness and peace of mind. Something that he does […]

In The Worship of the Wealthy by G.K. Chesterton we have the theme of flattery. Taken from his All Things Considered collection the reader realises from the beginning of the essay that Chesterton is exploring the theme of flattery and his hesitancy to give flattery to those who are wealthy. Chesterton also feels as though journalists go to extremes when […]

In Tryst with Destiny by Jawaharlal Nehru we have the theme of freedom, power, independence, struggle, hope and commitment. Taken from The Penguin Book of Twentieth Century Speeches the reader realises from the beginning of the speech that Nehru may be exploring the theme of freedom. India has broken away from British rule and now stands as a nation of […]

In Chief Seattle’s Speech we have the theme of friendship, control, religion, trust and acceptance. Taken from the original Seattle Sunday Star article the reader realises from the beginning of the speech that Chief Seattle comes in peace or friendship towards the white man. He knows of the atrocities that have been caused between both the Native Americans and the […]

In On Getting Off to Sleep by J.B. Priestley we have the theme of insomnia, irritation, restlessness, ignorance, arrogance and sympathy. Taken from his Papers from Lilliput collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Priestley may be exploring the theme of insomnia. Throughout the essay Priestley finds difficulty in sleeping. No matter what he tries to do. He […]

In The Machine That Won the War by Isaac Asimov we have the theme of doubt, reliability, trust, chance, responsibility, independence and self-importance. Taken from his Nightfall and Other Stories collection the reader realises after reading the story that Asimov may be exploring the theme of doubt. All three men in the story (Swift, Henderson and Jablonsky) have or had […]

In Of Revenge by Francis Bacon we have the theme of morality, letting go, control, acceptance and selfishness. Taken from his The Essays collection the reader realises from the beginning of the essay that Bacon is against the act of revenge. He considers it to be morally wrong and not of the spirit of man. It is better to live […]

In Of Studies by Francis Bacon we have the theme of education, knowledge and balance. Taken from his The Essays collection the reader realises from the beginning of the essay that Bacon believes that studying has three benefits. Firstly some people study for delight or personal use. To humour themselves while at the same time not imposing their knowledge on […]

In Tight Corners by E.V. Lucas we have the theme of struggle, risk, self-importance, appearance and good fortune. Taken from his Giving and Receiving collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Lucas may be exploring the theme of struggle. The narrator knows that he does not have the money to buy the Daubigny but he hopes that by […]

In A Funeral by E.V. Lucas we have the theme of friendship, respect, generosity, acceptance and loss. Taken from his A Little of Everything collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Lucas may be exploring the theme of friendship. Lucas speaks highly of his friend (who is unnamed) and there is a sense that there will be a […]

In the essay On the Pleasures of no Longer being Very Young by G.K. Chesterton we have the theme of youth, maturity, innocence, conflict and happiness. Taken from his All is Grist collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Chesterton may be exploring the differences between youth and maturity. A young person may not necessarily have the same […]

In The Late Bud by Ama Ata Aidoo we have the theme of isolation, confusion, identity, childhood, freedom, reconciliation, conflict and love. Taken from her No Sweetness Here and Other Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and the reader realises after reading the story that Aidoo may be exploring the theme of […]

In On Running After One’s Hat by G.K. Chesterton we have the theme of escape, embarrassment and acceptance. Taken from his On Running After One’s Hat and Other Whimsies collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Chesterton may be exploring the theme of escape. For Chesterton it is easier to imagine himself acting as a child might do […]

In The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe we have the theme of revenge, pride, fear, freedom and self-importance. Narrated in the first person by a man called Montresor it becomes clear to the reader from the beginning of the story that Poe may be exploring the theme of revenge. Montresor feels wounded by Fortunato’s insults or at least […]