In Are the Rich Happy by Stephen Leacock we have the theme wealth, poverty and appearance. Taken from his Further Foolishness collection and narrated in the first person by Leacock the reader realises that Leacock’s friends are wealthy. Though they see themselves as just being comparatively well of. They can afford lavish dinners and fine cutlery and plates and do […]

In the essay Third Class in Indian Railways by Mahatma Gandhi we have the theme of class, acceptance, desperation, dependency, greed and hygiene. Taken from his Selected Works collection the reader realises from the beginning of the essay that Gandhi may be exploring the theme of class. Gandhi chooses to travel by third class in order that he might see […]

In Swimming Partners by Timwa Lipenga we have the theme of connection, control, friendship, love, fear, change, freedom and AIDS. Narrated in the first person by a woman called Linda the story is a memory piece that takes Linda’s relationship with her sister, Aisha, into account. From the beginning of the story it is clear that Linda has a connection […]

In the short story In Lieu of a Lesson by Ugochukwu Udorji we have the theme of disappointment, pride, connection, arrogance and happiness. Narrated in the first person by a man called Chris it becomes clear to the reader from the beginning of the story that Udorji may be exploring the theme of disappointment. The narrator is disappointed with how […]

In The Woman at the Bus Stop by Mohan Rakesh we have the theme of control, selfishness, abuse, fear and paralysis. Taken from the Best Indian 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 Rakesh may be exploring the theme of control. […]

In The Intruder by Peter Songa we have the theme of modernity, education, innocence, colonization and selfishness. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Songa may be exploring the theme of modernity. Mungo finds it interesting that the Maasai continue to be hunters. It is as though […]

In The Olive Tree by Tololwa Marti Mollel we have the theme of fear, control, responsibility and patriarchy. Narrated in the first person by a young boy the reader realises that the narrator is a being controlled by his grandfather and chosen to get him an olive tree leaf. This may seem to be normal however later on the grandfather […]

In The Pig by Doris Lessing we have the theme of control, infidelity, letting go and disappointment. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Lessing may be exploring the theme of control. The farmer appears to get great joy out of controlling his farm-workers and their families. Something […]

In Noorjehan by Ahmed Essop we have the theme of tradition, marriage, fear, desperation, hope and paralysis. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed male teacher the reader realises from the beginning of the story that Essop may be exploring the theme of tradition. Though the story is set in the late twentieth century Noorjehan is being forced by […]

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 […]