Featured Stories

Weight

Weight: Short story by John Edgar WidemanIn this story by John Edgar Wideman, a writer calls his mother and reads her a draft of a story he has written. It opens with the metaphor My mother is a weightlifter, and goes on to admire the way she has shouldered so many burdens throughout her life. She is not impressed. Two days later, she dies. As he reflects on the call he realizes it wasn’t the story that upset her, but his opening words: This is about a man scared he won’t survive his mother’s passing. Themes include motherhood, love, racial inequality, suffering, strength, dependence, grief, fear.

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Signs and Symbols

Signs and Symbols: Short story by Vladimir NabokovVladimir Nabokov once indicated that Signs and Symbols contains a second story hidden behind various textual clues. The frame story, which involves an elderly couple’s dilemma about how to deal with their institutionalized mentally ill son, is a moving piece of dramatic prose in its own right. The supposed inner story has been the subject of much speculation. So far, nobody has convincingly decoded it. Perhaps there is none, Nabokov’s intention being to encourage readers to pay more attention to the signs and symbols in their own lives. Themes include mental illness, alienation, misfortune, suffering, poverty, death, parental love, hope.

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Old Love

Old Love: Novelette by Jeffrey ArcherIn this story by Jeffrey Archer, a couple go from rivalry-inspired hatred at first sight to literally being unable to live without each other. From the time they meet as Oxford undergraduates in the 1930s, a fierce sense of competition between the gifted pair spurs them on to topping their class, attaining coveted professorships, and earning royal honours. After tragedy brings them together, the caustic relationship morphs into a life-long love affair during which legend has it they were never apart for more than a few hours. Themes include competiveness, lasting love, literature and the arts, dedication, achievement.

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The Man from Mars

The Man from Mars: Short story by Margaret AtwoodIn this story by Margaret Atwood a “big-boned”, athletic Canadian university student becomes anxious but gains self-esteem when a creepy-looking “Oriental” student begins to stalk her. The stalking, which largely takes place in plain sight, becomes a game of cat-and-mouse. Other men who have previously shown little interest in her take notice. Wondering what he sees in her, they begin to ask her out. She is not his only victim. When he is deported to his war-torn country, she becomes obsessed with trying to discover his fate. Themes include otherness (alienation and loneliness), beauty standards and self-image, stereotyping, obsession, fear.

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Black Boy

Black Boy: Short story by Kay BoyleIn this story by Kay Boyle, a ten- twelve-year-old girl living with her grandfather in a seaside city befriends an African-American “boy” who pushes rolling chairs by day and appears to sleep under the boardwalk at night. When the girl’s grandfather discovers them talking, he warns her off spending time with the boy because he might do you some kind of harm. The girl’s hobby is horse riding along the sand. When the boy helps her home after a fall, he doesn’t get the thanks he deserves. Themes: childhood innocence, friendship, prejudice and racism, dreams and imagination.

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The Snob

The Snob: Short story by Morley CallaghanIn this story by Morley Callaghan, a young man shopping with a new girlfriend shames his poorly dressed father by not acknowledging him when they find themselves close to each other in a department store. The girl’s family are more affluent and sophisticated than his, and he is self-conscious about the difference. Ironically, although he is guilty of snobbery in ignoring his father, his anger at himself over having done so causes him to lose his temper and wrongfully accuse the girl of being a snob. Themes include identity, class, judgement by appearances, shame, guilt, hypocrisy.

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Average Waves in Unprotected Waters

Average Waves in Unprotected Waters: Short story by Anne TylerThe ironic title of this story from Anne Tyler is said to be symbolic of protagonist Bet’s life. Like her fisherman father, Bet faces “average waves” (life challenges) in “unprotected waters” (alone). All her life, Bet has allowed herself to be battered by the waves, taking comfort from enduring. Unfortunately, the major challenge she has faced, raising a special needs son, is far from average. Her courageous decision to institutionalize Arnold suggests an attempt to take control of her life, but leaves her feeling empty and even more alone. Themes: memory, family, life-changing choices, motherly love, identity, courage, self-determination.

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Everything Is Nice

Everything is Nice: Short story by Jane BowlesIn this story by Jane Bowles an American woman living alone in a Moroccan hotel is befriended by a Moslem woman who appears to know a lot about her movements. On the pretext of taking her to a wedding, the Moslem woman leads her to a dimly lit room where a group of other Moslem women ask probing questions about her life and presence in the city. Uncomfortable about the personal nature of the questions, she rudely refuses their offer of refreshments and abruptly leaves. Themes include women’s independence, identity, isolation and loneliness, cultural division.

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