The major theme of this story by John Steinbeck is a young man’s quest for manhood. An unsophisticated nineteen-year-old from an isolated farm is given his first task as a “man” when his widowed mother sends him to town alone to buy medicine and other supplies. While staying overnight at the home of a family friend, he gets drunk and stabs a man in an argument. The inexperienced youth flees into the mountains where, in addition to his pursuers, he must face the perils of nature. Other themes: isolation, innocence, lack of composure/self-control, frontier justice, struggle, death. More…
Soldier’s Home
This story by Ernest Hemingway about an American soldier’s difficulty “fitting in” after returning from World War 1 is a wonderful example of the author’s Iceberg Theory, with much of the protagonist’s background hidden from readers. Upon return, the soldier finds himself alienated from his culture, community, friends, and family. He falls into depression and lethargy, obsessed with watching local girls go by, but avoiding contact with them. This may be due to an earlier failed relationship, or his distaste for his pious, controlling mother. Themes include PTSD, alienation, cultural and social change, fear of involvement and commitment. More…
Last Day at School
This very short story describes the feelings of a teacher on the last day of a school year. It is clear from the story that the teacher cares greatly for his students. Grades have been sent home and the long holiday is about to begin. For the teacher, it is an especially memorable day. As well as being the end of the school year, he is leaving teaching and moving on to a different career. Last Day at School was written by Italian teacher-turned-journalist Giovanni Mosca, and presumably talks about his own feelings on leaving teaching in 1936. More…
Carmilla
This 1872 novella by Sheridan Le Fanu was ground-breaking in several ways. It is not only one of the first examples of vampire fiction (pre-dating Bran Stoker’s Dracula by 25 years), but also the first to infer a lesbian element to vampiric attraction. This vampire seems to have a taste for blue blood. Peasant victims die quickly, but two young aristocratic women enjoy her seductive company longer. Could Carmilla have something else in mind for these two, such as spending eternity together? Themes: patriarchy, social class, female sexuality, life and death, the supernatural. More…
The Girl Who Can
In this inspiring story by Ama Ata Aidoo, a seven-year-old Ghanaian girl demonstrates that success in life is not about meeting societal gender norms, but rather capitalizing on one’s natural talents and abilities. The girl’s grandmother clings to outdated concepts of a woman’s role and place in the community, criticizing her “non-child-bearing” legs and desire for education. The girl’s mother passively accepts the body comments, but supports her schooling. Ironically, when the girl achieves athletic success, the grandmother basks in her glory. Themes include innocence, matriarchy, tradition (gender roles), generational conflict, body shaming, education and self-improvement, identity (self-discovery and empowerment). More…