The central theme of this Ursula Le Guin story is the alienation and loneliness brought about by obsession with work and lack of companionship. A 15th century French scientist, frustrated with being unable to prove a theory he had developed, decides his work is a waste of time. He experiments with black magic and is surprised when his first spell is a success, allowing him to teleport kindred spirits from the past and future to join him. Those who come are so happy in his reality that they have no desire to return. Other themes: the occult, connection. More…
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The Princess and the Tin Box
In addition to famous short stories such as The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and The Cat-Bird Seat, humorist James Thurber authored numerous “fables for our time”. Many of these satirize the fable/fairy-tale form and, in so doing, provide commentary on aspects of modern society. In this story, a king decrees that he will give his spoiled daughter’s hand in marriage to the prince who brings her the gift she likes the most. Readers are left wondering whether she makes the right choice. Themes: parental pressure/expectations, materialism vs. romantic love, realistic vs. “fairy tale” endings. More…
Fleur
This story by Louise Edrich incorporates elements of magical realism and Chippewa Indian mythology. It recounts the experiences of Fleur, a Native-American woman who leaves her tribe after several mystical experiences to work in a small-town butchery. Fleur is not only strong, independent and confident, but has seemingly magical powers that, among other things, help her consistently win money from her male co-workers in after-work card games. This damages the men’s egos, leading to her brutal rape and the “accidental” death of her three abusers. Themes: female power, sexuality and mystique; racism; gender and cultural conflicts; violence. More…
The Fat Girl
This story from Andre Dubus highlights the psychological damage that can arise when young people are shamed for not fitting community or cultural norms. A mother’s efforts to control her daughter’s diet results in a serious eating disorder. Later, a weight-loss program initiated by a well-meaning college roommate leads to a confused self-image, an unfulfilling, shallow marriage and, when she becomes pregnant, recurrence of the eating disorder. Fortunately, the birth of a son brings about an epiphany through which she is finally able to be comfortable with who she is. Themes: conformity, identity, food and dieting, body shaming, friendship, transformation. More…
On the Rainy River
The major themes of this “memoir” by Tim O’Brien are shame and guilt. Its purpose is to mitigate the trauma of events twenty years earlier when, as a twenty-one-year-old, the writer was drafted to fight in Vietnam. Ironically, he feels both emotions: 1) for his initial decision to flee America to avoid fighting in a war he didn’t believe in; and 2) for putting his convictions aside, going to war, and things he did and/or was exposed to during the conflict. Other themes: moral confusion, civic duty, fear (embarrassment/social stigma vs. injury or death), connection, courage and cowardice. More…