This story from Octavia Butler takes place in a violent, post-apocalyptic world. A virus has killed billions and left most survivors unable to speak, read, write or understand spoken language. Governments and the corporate world have collapsed, there are no police or community services, fuel is scarce. People must fend for themselves. The protagonist, whose husband and children fell to the virus, is contemplating suicide. The desperate woman finds and cruelly loses a new lover, but in the process discovers a renewed purpose in life. Themes: the importance of language, isolation, loneliness, fear, violence, hope. More…
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The Gilded Six-Bits
The popular interpretation of this story by Zora Neale Hurston is that two young newlyweds (Joe and Missie May) have what appears to be a perfect marriage until a boastful newcomer from Chicago (Otis) opens an ice-cream parlor in their small Southern town. The couple’s playful, passionate bliss is shattered when Otis, who appears wealthy and sophisticated, seduces Missie May in exchange for promises of gold. In most short stories, this would lead to a tragic ending. Not here! The couple come out of it seemingly happier than ever. Themes: poverty, love, deception (appearances vs. reality), temptation, betrayal, guilt, forgiveness. More…
The Wedding Dance
The major themes of this touching story by Amador Daguio are tradition, love and courage. Set in pre-colonial Philippines, a villager follows custom and remarries when his wife fails to conceive. Despite their pledges of love, neither challenges this unwritten law. Whether the theme of “courage” has positive or negative connotations for the protagonist depends on the reader’s interpretation as to why she walks away from her husband’s second wedding dance. Is this because she lacks the courage to confront the tribal elders, or because she finds the courage to “let go” and sacrifice her happiness for her husband’s honor? More…
The Centaur
A major theme of this story by José Saramago is fear of those who are fundamentally “different”. Other themes include duality, modernity, wilderness encroachment, loneliness, isolation and identity. A mythical Centaur survives into the 20th century. The only one of its kind still living, it has wandered the wilderness for thousands of years. Unfortunately, humanity is expanding and it has become increasingly difficult to avoid contact. A fascinating feature of the story is the interdependence between the centaur’s horse and human sides. Both have different needs, which often require compromise. There are some human needs, however, that can’t be met. More…
The Emperor’s New Clothes
The main theme of this famous children’s story from Hans Christian Andersen is, of course, vanity. Other themes include deceit, gullibility, honesty (fear of speaking up) and pride. The Emperor who puts appearance before the well-being of his people, and his courtiers who sense that something is amiss but don’t have the courage to report it, carry two important messages. We shouldn’t judge people by the clothes they wear, what brand of phone they carry etc., and children should be encouraged to speak up if safe to do so when they see something that is wrong. More…