In Storm Petrel by Romesh Gunesekera we have the theme of aspirations, conflict, memories, enthusiasm, failure and friendship. Taken from his Monkfish Moon collection the story is narrated in the first person by an unnamed man and from the beginning of the story the reader realises that Gunesekera may be exploring the theme of aspirations and dreams. CK’s head is […]

In The End of the World by Mavis Gallant we have the theme of dislocation, alienation selfishness, infidelity, compassion, hopelessness, responsibility, loyalty and acceptance. Taken from her The End of the World and Other Stories collection the story is narrated in the first person by a man called Billy Apostolesco and the reader realises from the beginning of the story […]

In Justice, a traditional Ethiopian tale, we have the theme of justice, mistaken identity, gratitude, disconnection, fear and anger. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that the story teller is exploring the theme of mistaken identity. The woman mistakenly believes that the old man knows where her […]

In Different Values by Barbara Makhalisa we have the theme of patriarchy, control, connection, change, freedom, happiness and paralysis. Narrated in the first person by a woman called Liza it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Makhalisa may be exploring the theme of patriarchy. Liza is a maid whose entire life appears to be controlled by […]

In The Girl With a Twisted Future by Mia Couto we have the theme of exploitation, control, anguish, paralysis, determination and happiness. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Couto may be exploring the theme of exploitation. Joseldo is forcing his daughter, Filomeninha, to do things that she […]

In Flight 303 by Suresh Chopra we have the theme of freedom, appearance, respect, temptation and desperation. Narrated in the first person by a man called Chopsy it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Chopra may be exploring the theme of freedom. Rummy has been caught for a robbery and is travelling back to the U.K […]

In Maguni’s Bullock Cart by Godavarish Mohapatra we have the theme of loss, struggle, progress, loyalty and fear. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Mohapatra may be exploring the theme of loss. Maguni has died and those in the town who knew him, which is almost everyone, […]

In The Blue Hills Where the Sun Never Sets by Hugh Gantzer we have the theme of imperialism, change, tradition, power and control. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed woman the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Gantzer may be exploring the theme of imperialism. Life in the mountains has not changed despite India claiming […]

In A Home near the Sea by Kamala Das we have the theme of poverty, dreams, jealousy, generosity, loyalty and control. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Das may be exploring the theme of poverty. Arumugham and his wife are homeless and live on the streets. […]

In The Pounding Room by Bentley Little we have the theme of fear, uncertainty, curiosity, trust and letting go. Narrated in the first person by a man called Charles Nichols it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Little may be exploring the theme of fear. Charles is afraid of the environment he finds himself in. This […]

In The Richer, The Poorer by Dorothy West we have the theme of money, selfishness, awareness and change. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that West is exploring the theme of money. Lottie lives her life in order to save. She may consider herself to be frugal […]

In Our Christmas Reunion by Edward Chinhanhu we have the theme of love, respect, connection, friendship, innocence and AIDS. Narrated in the first person by a young boy called Tawanda the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Chinhanhu may be exploring the theme of love. Tawanda is preparing a goat for his brother’s arrival. He is excited […]

In One More Dead Body by Kartar Singh Duggal we have the theme of hopes, aspirations, infidelity, shame, trust and fear. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator it becomes clear to the reader from the being of the story that Duggal may be exploring the theme of hopes and aspiration. Malkani wishes to live in the Rawal […]

In The Town Week by Robert Lynd we have the theme of character, failure, struggle, change and restlessness. Taken from his Specially Selected, Essays of Choice collection the reader realises after reading the essay that Lynd has a preference for Monday. He believes that it is the proper start of the week. Things can be done before they fall into […]

In Superman and Paula Brown‘s New Snowsuit by Sylvia Plath we have the theme of conflict, escape, pride, innocence, freedom and coming of age. Narrated in the first person by a young unnamed woman the story is a memory piece and after reading the story the reader realises that Plath may be exploring the theme of conflict. The Second World […]

In The Gulf by Geraldine McCaughrean we have the theme of escape, frustration, disappointment, hope, happiness, fear, freedom, gratitude and unselfishness. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that McCaughrean may be exploring the theme of escape. Juan is on the run from his captors. We do not know […]

In The Great Secret by George H. Smith we have the theme of blackmail, fear, control, power and secrecy. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Smith is exploring the theme of blackmail. Neither Bolasky nor Waters are able to figure out as to why thirty people are […]

In A Grave Misunderstanding by Leon Garfield we have the theme of connection, suspicion, loneliness, loyalty, confusion, fear and paralysis. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed dog the reader realises after reading the story that Garfield may be exploring the theme of connection. The narrator’s owner and the ghost make a connection. It is as though the owner […]

In Voodoo by Fredric Brown we have the theme of separation, hate, greed, trust, confidence and freedom. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Brown may be exploring the theme of separation. Both Mr and Mrs Decker’s marriage is over. Yet due to disagreements they are unable to […]

In Love Letters by Kate Walker we have the theme of romance, love, honesty, vulnerability and selfishness. Narrated in the first person by a young man called Nick the reader realises after reading the story that Walker may be exploring the theme of romance. Fleur wants some romance in her life. Just like Helen has. She wants Nick to write […]

In Everything in the Right Place by Hans Christian Andersen we have the theme of cruelty, arrogance, paralysis, kindness and selfishness. Taken from his The Complete Fairy Tales collection the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Anderson may be exploring the theme of cruelty. The baron attempts to push the goose girl into the river because he […]

In The Green Tree by Zakariyya Tamir we have the theme of innocence, imagination, control, escape, friendship and coming of age. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises after reading the story that Tamir may be exploring the theme of innocence. Rhanda is upset yet Talal through his actions is able to alleviate her fears […]

In The Case of The Lower Case Letter by Jack Delany we have the theme of control, greed, honesty, murder and commitment. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed detective the reader realises after reading the story that Delany may be exploring the theme of control. Edgar likes to control Edith, particularly how she looks. This may be significant […]

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 […]