In Confessions of a Dustbin by M. Karunanidhi we have the theme of loss, loneliness, and freedom. Narrated in the first person by the dustbin itself it becomes clearer to him that he as hears story of professionals of faith and love that the dustbin makes to make a connection with others. Who merely see […]

In Big Brother, Little Sister by Witi Ihimaera we have the theme of desperation, violence, insecurity, selfishness, hope and paralysis. Taken from his The New Net Goes Fishing collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and the reader realizes after reading the story that Ihimaera may be exploring the […]

In A Game of Cards by Witi Ihimaera we have the theme of connection, love, matriarchy, wisdom, tradition and mortality. Taken from his Pounamu Pounamu collection the story is narrated in the first person by a young male narrator the reader realizes after reading the story that Ihimaera may be exploring the theme of connection. […]

In Courage in the Time of Harmattan by Ugochukwu Udorji we have the theme of conflict, letting go, ego and paralysis. Narrated in the second person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes after reading the story that Udorji may be exploring the theme of conflict. The young boy finds himself in conflict with Chike […]

In Robert and the Dog by Ken Saro-Wiwa we have the theme of control, jealousy, hierarchy and poverty. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes after reading the story that Saro-Wiwa may be exploring the theme of control. Robert, who is a servant, believes that it is easier to control […]

In the short story In the Box by Taeko Kōno we have the theme of revenge, control, struggle, anger, gratitude and connection. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed narrator (male) the reader realizes after reading the story that Kōno may be exploring the theme of revenge. The narrator is angry that the woman […]

In Millicent by Merle Hodge we have the theme of control, conflict, innocence, insecurity and pride. Narrated in the first person by a young unnamed boy the reader realizes after reading the story that Hodge may be exploring the theme of control. Miss is in complete control of her class or she likes to think […]

In Conversations with My Parents by Oanh Thi Tran we have the theme of connection, family, loyalty, respect and, love. Narrated in the first person by Thi Tran herself the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Thi Tran may be exploring the theme of connection and family. While in the hospital with […]

In Factory Town by Minoru Betsuyaku we have the theme of the environment, competition, innocence, capitalism, consumerism and progress. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes after reading the story that Betsuyaku may be exploring the theme of the environment. At first the townspeople are open and even excited by […]

In My Son the Fanatic by Hanif Kureishi we have the theme of worry, radicalization, change, conflict, control, struggle and acceptance. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Kureishi may be exploring the theme of worry. Parvez has concerns with the direction his […]

In The First Day by Edward P. Jones we have the theme of connection, desperation, love, pride, authority and fear. Narrated in the first person by a young five year old black girl the reader realizes after reading the story that Jones may be exploring the theme of connection. The narrator’s mother longs to bring […]

In Septimus by John Wickham we have the theme of sorrow, poverty, struggle, responsibility, happiness, selflessness and kindness. Narrated in the first person by a female narrator (Septimus’ sister) the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Wickham may be exploring the theme of sorrow. Septimus’ mother is crying because Septimus is happy […]

In The Teacher Who Changed My Life by Nicholas Gage we have the theme of struggle, conflict, freedom, hostility, inspiration, hard work, acceptance and pride. Narrated in the first person by Gage himself the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Gage may be exploring the theme of struggle. Gage and his siblings […]

In Lather and Nothing Else (or Just Lather, That’s All) by Hernando Téllez we have the theme of duty, violence, honour, loyalty and conflict. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed man (the barber) the reader realizes after reading the story that Téllez may be exploring the theme of duty. The narrator feels as […]

In Scared by Anthony Horowitz we have the theme of isolation, bullying, bribery, selfishness, struggle and hate. Taken from his collection of the same name it becomes clear to the reader after reading the story that Horowitz may be exploring the theme of isolation. Pye Hall is isolated from everywhere else and Gary doesn’t like […]

In The Oval Portrait by Edgar Allan Poe we have the theme of art, reality, creativity, selfishness and obsession. Taken from his Poetry and Tales collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realizes that Poe may be exploring the theme of reality. […]

In What Happened by Austin Clarke we have the theme of racism, love, friendship, education, idealism, realism and anger. Taken from his When He Was Free and Young and He Used to Wear Silks collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realizes […]

In Blankets by Alex la Guma we have the theme of poverty, inequality, deprivation, apartheid, control and paralysis. Taken from his A Walk in the Night and Other Stories collection the story is narrated, by way of flashbacks, in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realizes that […]

In Little Brother by Bruce Holland Rogers we have the theme of longing, struggle, control, consumerism, materialism and innocence. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Rogers may be exploring the theme of longing. For as long as he can remember Peter has […]

In The Jam by Henry Slesar we have the theme of addiction, struggle, friendship, loyalty, control and responsibility. Narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator the reader realizes from the beginning of the story that Slesar may be exploring the theme of addiction. The reason Stukey is driving so fast and erratic is […]