This story by Dorothy Parker comprises a dialog between a young newlywed couple traveling by train to their honeymoon destination. It is clear that both are nervous, and that their relationship has hitherto been platonic. The bride appears particularly insecure, and challenges several things her new husband says as indications that he doesn’t care for her, her family, and her taste in fashion. She is looking for affirmation of his love, which he provides, and deflecting thoughts of what they both know will happen that evening. Themes include marriage, innocence, communication, insecurity, jealousy, embarrassment, sex. More…
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Because My Father Always Said He Was the Only Indian Who Saw Jimi Hendrix Play ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at Woodstock
In this story by Sherman Alexie a Native-American boy recalls the good and not-so-good times before his father rode off on his motorcycle, never to return. His father led a rebellious early life, spent two years in prison, visited Woodstock, and came home a heavy drinker. The relationship between his parents was volatile, alternating between alcohol induced arguments and lovemaking. The boy’s father had difficulty opening up and music, especially the titular song, was an important catalyst for communication between them. Themes include father-son relationships, war (in all contexts), alcoholism, marriage breakdown, abandonment, memory, the power of music. More…
The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas
This philosophical narrative by Ursula Le Guin describes life in the seemingly utopian city of Omelas. We learn that almost everyone in the city lives in complete happiness. There is no organized system of rule, few laws, sexual freedom, no crime, no violence, and nobody living in want. Sadly, there is a blight on this “paradise”. For happiness to prevail, a single child must live in absolute misery, locked up alone in an underground cell. Themes: morality and moral compromise (the price of happiness), victimization, complicity (collective knowledge = shared responsibility), guilt, courage (the ones who “walk away”). More…
The Man from Mars
In this story by Margaret Atwood a “big-boned”, athletic Canadian university student becomes anxious but gains self-esteem when a creepy-looking “Oriental” student begins to stalk her. The stalking, which largely takes place in plain sight, becomes a game of cat-and-mouse. Other men who have previously shown little interest in her take notice. Wondering what he sees in her, they begin to ask her out. She is not his only victim. When he is deported to his war-torn country, she becomes obsessed with trying to discover his fate. Themes include otherness (alienation and loneliness), beauty standards and self-image, stereotyping, obsession, fear. More…
The Slump
In this story by John Updike, a professional baseball player tries to analyze why he is no longer hitting the ball as well as he used to. He was recruited for his batting, and is worried about losing his position on the team. He identifies that the problem is psychological (in the batting cage I own the place) and concludes that he has lost his passion for the game because it has no meaning for him anymore. Themes include self-knowledge, pressure to succeed (dread), liberation, the fleeting nature of fame, frustration, futility, shame, existentialism. More…