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 Open Boat

The Open Boat: Short story by Stephen CraneA remarkable aspect of this story from Stephen Crane is that it is based on an actual event in the author’s life. This adds credibility to what to me is a defining feature of the story: the way that throughout the ordeal four men from such diverse backgrounds were able to maintain their self-discipline and work so well together. The Open Boat is considered a classic in the literary style called “naturalism”. Such stories deal with the unforgiving power of nature and man’s struggle for survival. Themes: man vs. nature/the sea, perspective (appearance vs. reality), courage, teamwork, survival.

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The Gentleman from San Francisco

The Gentleman from San Francisco: Short story by Ivan BuninIn this story by Ivan Bunin an overweight, fifty-eight-year-old industrialist who had grown rich off the sweat of Chinese immigrants treats himself and his family to a two-year trip around the world. He only makes it as far as Capri, where he dies of a heart attack. The story is a biting satire of the opulent lifestyles and arrogance of the mega-rich, living in their ivory towers indifferent to the “lesser” people who toil to make their lifestyles possible. Themes include greed, social class, vanity, superficiality, moral decay, self-aggrandizement vs. spiritual enlightenment, death as a leveler.

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The Guest

The Guest: Short story by Albert CamusIn this story by Albert Camus, a policeman orders Daru, a teacher from a remote Algerian school, to escort an alleged murderer to the nearest city. Camus was an early philosopher in the field of Existentialism. The story features several existential themes: the absurd (The situation Daru finds himself in.); the need to choose (Daru can follow the policeman’s order or set the man free; the man can go South to freedom or East to captivity.); and angst (Daru was in a “no win” situation. Whatever decision he makes will have unpleasant, and possibly deadly, consequences.) Other themes: honor, hospitality.

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A Home near the Sea

A Home near the Sea: Short story by Kamala DasIn this story by Kamala Das, an Indian woman angrily scolds her husband, a lazy drunkard, as she tells a fellow beggar how a year earlier he lost a secure job and caused them to be evicted from their hut. As the aging woman complains about her lot, the listener brings her to tears. He poetically extols the benefits of living in the open beside the sea, provides encouragement that things will improve, speaks to her of music and artistry, and likens her to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. Themes include marriage (loyalty, jealousy, control and complacency), poverty, negativity, dreams, generosity.

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Nightfall

Nightfall: Short story by Isaac AsimovNightfall: Short story by Isaac AsimovAs once described by Isaac Asimov himself, Nightfall (is) the tale of a world with eternal sun that is suddenly plunged into total darkness and utter madness. Hailed as one of the greatest Science Fiction stories ever written it tells how, in preparation for the potential end of their civilization, a group of forward-thinking scientists have created a safe place to store their world’s accumulated knowledge and hide a select group of “survivors”. Themes: science vs superstition (cultism), having the courage of one’s convictions, sensory deprivation, insanity, mob hysteria, scientific hubris.

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Tobermory

Tobermory: Short story by H. H. Munro (aka Saki)This story by Saki is a satire of early twentieth century British high society. A group of socialites attend a weekend house-party. Among the guests is a visiting scientist who was invited in the hope that his cleverness would contribute to the general entertainment. All are amazed when he teaches Tobermory, the family housecat, to speak perfect English. However, their surprise soon turns to anger at some of the things Tobermory has to say. This seals Tobermory’s fate… he knows too much and must be silenced! Themes include wonder, superficiality and hypocrisy, embarrassment, anger, retribution

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A Dead Woman’s Secret

A Dead Woman's Secret: Short story by Guy de MaupassantWe get a sense at the beginning of this Guy de Maupassant story that the dead woman lying peacefully in her bed may not have led as ‘saintly’ a life as is described. She has been hiding something from her family for most of her life. When going through some old letters, her son and daughter discover the secret. The son, a sanctimonious magistrate, judges her harshly. The daughter, who has devoted herself to the Church, says nothing but may harbor a secret of her own. Themes: things are not always as they seem, passion, adultery, rash judgement, hypocrisy, forgiveness

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