This story by Bharati Mukherjee explores the cultural transformation that occurs when the wife of an Indian textile executive moves to New York on a two-year scholarship to complete a doctoral degree. The freedom she experiences when no longer bound by the traditions and strict social conventions of her homeland allows her to find her identity. The change is emphasized as she accompanies her husband around the city during a short visit partway through the course, and raises the question of how she will fare upon return to India. Themes include identity, communication, culture clash, gender roles, liberation. More…
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Tickets, Please
This story by D. H. Lawrence is a humorous take on gender dynamics during World War 1 after a disproportionate number of women entered the workforce to replace men sent to war. It deals with a group of hardened women (they fear nobody, and everybody fears them) working as tram conductors in England’s industrial Midlands. When a womanizing ticket inspector takes advantage of one too many of the conductors, they join forces and exact sweet revenge. An important (feminist) theme of the story is exploited women finding their collective “voice”. Other themes include power, desire, passion, rejection, vengeance and rage. More…
The Mouse
This story by Saki satirizes the social sensitivities of the late-Victorian/Edwardian middle class. A prudish young man who has had a sheltered upbringing returns to the city from a farm visit. Sharing his train compartment is a woman who appears to be sleeping. He soon finds they are not alone… he has a mouse in his pants! To avoid offending the woman and causing a scene, he removes his trousers by hiding behind a blanket. Unfortunately, the blanket falls before can he put them on again and the woman wakes up. Themes include propriety, embarrassment, dissimulation, insensitivity towards others. More…
Autobiography of Irene
The protagonist of this story by Silvina Ocampo believes she has psychic powers. Whatever she imagines, good or bad, takes place in real life. Afterwards, she completely forgets the person involved. Among these lost memories are those of her father and lover, both of whose death she foresaw. Now twenty-five, she foresees and is looking forward to her own death, believing that upon this her memories will be restored. Her biggest fear is NOT dying, which she addresses by allowing a stranger (or perhaps an alter ego) to write her autobiography. Themes include clairvoyance, destiny, alienation, solitude, memories, death. More…
A Game of Cards
This early story by Witi Ihimaera examines the universal themes of love, family, community and mortality from a Maori perspective. A university student visiting his dying grandmother symbolizes the deep family connections among his people. The old woman’s only recreation over the years has been lively card nights with friends and neighbors. These symbolize the strong connection and, despite some good-natured cheating, unity among community members. The spontaneous gathering in her final hours demonstrates her community’s approach to death. Rather than shying away until after the event, they come together to pay respects and ease her passing. More…