Featured Stories

The Enormous Radio

The Enormous Radio: Short story by John CheeverLike many John Cheever stories, the major themes of The Enormous Radio are appearances vs. reality and the myth of urban bliss. Other themes include eavesdropping, obsession, secrecy, smugness, self-delusion and hypocrisy. A seemingly contented couple’s life changes when a malfunctioning radio begins to pick up conversations from people in surrounding apartments. The woman becomes obsessed with listening in and, after learning her neighbors’ secrets about affairs, marital and financial problems, etc., begins to look down on them. This feeling of superiority is soon dashed when her husband points out some unsavory aspects of her own past.

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Neighbour Rosicky

Neighbour Rosicky: Short story by Willa CatherThis heart-warming story from Willa Cather exemplifies all that is said to be good about life in rural America. Anton Rosicky followed other impoverished Czech immigrants seeking a better life overseas. Assisted by small acts of kindness along the way, he reaches America where he acquires a modest farm and raises a large, contented family. This is quite a long story with many themes: love, family values, neighborliness, doing what’s right vs. chasing money, city vs. country living, connection, hard work, contentment, reminiscing and (with a grandchild on the way as Anton dies) the cycle of life.

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The Shroud / Kafan

The Shroud / Kafan: Short story by PremchandThis dark comedy by Premchand follows father and son Chamars (one of the Dalit or “untouchable” sub-castes) as they go to buy a funeral shroud for the son’s deceased wife. The lazy but likeable pair, who will do anything to shirk work, end up spending donated shroud money on a boozy night in town. The story satirizes the caste system by pointing out that those who can never rise above their low birth position have little incentive to do more than ensure their survival. Themes include social class, callousness, indolence, tradition, selfishness, exploitation (of the generosity of others).

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The Color Master

The Color Master: Short story by Aimee BenderIn this folktale-like story by Aimee Bender, a group of artisans skilled in making fine clothing and footwear receive several difficult commissions from a king. The story is a loosely based prequel to the fairy tale Donkey Skin, in which a princess demands three dresses of seemingly impossible color (the sky, the moon and the sun) to avoid having to marry her father. In the process of directing the work, the dying Color Master anoints a successor and, in instructing her to put anger into the creations, saves the princess. Themes include artisanship, succession, faith, unnatural love (incest).

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The Chrysanthemums

The Chrysanthemums: Short story by John SteinbeckIn this seemingly straightforward story by John Steinbeck, chrysanthemum-growing Elisa’s character can be interpreted in several, often contradictory, ways. Is she “strong and happy” as her husband says, or weak and disillusioned with her life? Does she crave companionship, intimacy and perhaps a child, or freedom? Is her fascination with chrysanthemums because of a special connection with nature, or because they represent the only joy in her life? Whatever the answers, after a smooth-talking tinker raises her self-esteem and then shatters it, Elisa’s tears signify her realization that nothing will change. Themes: isolation, loneliness, aesthetics, lack of fulfillment, betrayal.

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The Lady or the Tiger

The Lady or the Tiger: Short story by Frank StocktonThe appeal of this classic children’s story by Frank Stockton lies in its so-called “unsolvable problem”. Readers must use context clues and their perceptions of human nature to decide the story’s outcome (i.e. what lies behind the arena’s right-hand door). Whichever door is chosen, the King wins and the princess loses. The young man’s fate depends on how well he understands the workings of the semi-barbaric princess’s mind. Was her secret signal influenced by selfless love for him, or jealousy of the lady? Themes: choices and consequences, fairness, power, class/forbidden love, jealousy/possible betrayal.

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The Toll-House

The Toll-House: Short story by W. W. JacobsToday we have another classic horror story from W. W. Jacobs. Four young travelers are drinking (tea of all things!) at an Inn. They are discussing the supernatural, and it soon becomes clear that three are believers to varying degrees and one is a total skeptic. One of them tells a story about a nearby haunted house that takes a “toll” of at least one life from every family or group that lives there—however short the time. Foolishly, they decide to put the story to the test. Themes: bravado, fear, the supernatural.

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Another Pioneer

Another Pioneer: Novelette by David Foster WallaceThis story by David Foster Wallace comprises a single paragraph of over 9,100 words. A writer shares a tale he heard from a friend. A three-year-old boy in a paleolithic jungle tribe has the seemingly magical ability to correctly answer any question. The tribe prospers with his help, developing quickly from hunter-gatherers to embracing agriculture and animal husbandry. Upon reaching puberty, the boy’s answers become more philosophical, challenging questioners and the tribe’s ancient beliefs. Fear on both sides leads to either his, or the tribe’s destruction. Themes include storytelling, superstition, the destructive power of knowledge, self-consciousness, social class/caste, greed, fear.

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