A major theme of this heart-warming 19th Century children’s story from Charles Dickens is what comes after death. Although children today are more likely to have been exposed to the concept of the hereafter than their 1871 counterparts, the story is still used as a reading text in many grade schools. In addition to being a beautifully written piece of prose, it contains several other important themes. These include: 1) the wonder and interdependence of the natural world; 2) brother & sisterly love and devotion; 3) the importance of family; and 4) how life can sometimes seem unfair. More…
The Extravagant Behavior of the Naked Woman
This very short story from Josefina Estrada appears in several international flash fiction anthologies. Its shock value helps to get across a number of important themes. Some are stated or can readily be implied: the woman is clearly suffering some sort of mental condition, but the community and police do not have access to services or facilities to help her. Other than a few lustful men, it is easier to turn away and pretend she does not exist. A less obvious theme lies in the question: What would happen if it were a wild-looking man walking naked through the streets? More…
Last Courtesies
This story by Ella Leffland contrasts the way the protagonist, a widow in her late fifties, handles life’s challenges with the approaches taken by her dignified, “old-fashioned” aunt and an eccentric, sometimes mentally unstable friend of her aunt who has appointed himself her “protector”. Unable to cope with noisy neighbors and daily problems following the death of her aunt and long-time companion, the woman suffers a nervous breakdown. After an argument with her “protector”, she falls prey to a vicious serial killer. Themes include alienation and isolation, eccentricity, judgement, passivity vs. assertiveness, rudeness vs. civility, fear, violence. More…
The Railroad and the Churchyard
In this story by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson two friends fall out over a proposal to sell the public grain magazine and establish a community savings bank. The decision (to sell the magazine) brings prosperity to all. Years later, as many in the parish face financial ruin due to speculation, the two clash again over a proposal to allow a new railway to pass through the town. Although the railway will increase land values, the only route possible includes part of an old, disused cemetery. This leads to a fiery ending. Themes include friendship, tradition vs. progress, conflicts of interest, desperation, community. More…
Mr Know-All
This story by W. Somerset Maugham takes place at sea. A narrator we learn almost nothing about is forced to share a cabin with a man he takes an instant disliking to because of little more than his name. The other man plays an organizational role in many aspects of ship life to the point of being everywhere and always. The narrator finds him hearty, jovial, loquacious and argumentative. He calls him the best hated man in the ship. It is not until the man ‘loses’ a bet about pearls that the narrator develops a grudging respect for him. More…