This psychological ghost story by Ellen Glasgow combines themes of the supernatural, crime (murder) and justice (revenge). A young nurse besotted by a popular doctor is assigned as night-nurse to his ailing wife. The woman, who is recovering from the death of her young daughter from a previous marriage, is suffering “hallucinations” that the girl is still alive. When the nurse claims that she, too, can see the spectral child, the mother confides that her husband killed her. The woman dies soon afterwards and, when the doctor claims her multi-million dollar estate, justice is served in an unexpected manner. More…
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The Lottery
This story by Marjorie Barnard is set in 1930s Sydney. On the protagonist’s way home from work, friends draw his attention to a newspaper report that his wife has won first prize in a lottery. His initial reaction is to wonder “Why didn’t she contact him at work? and Where did she get the money? He later reflects on how great his wife and married life are, albeit in terms of gender norms of the day. When he gets home, his wife’s reaction to the win is not what he had expected. Themes include patriarchy, gender roles, complacency, alienation, rebellion. More…
Native Land / Lupang Tinubuan
Although this Narciso G. Reyes story was directed towards a Filipino audience, its major theme (connection to and love for one’s traditional lands) applies equally to many other cultures. A young boy accompanies an uncle and aunt to a funeral in his father’s home village. He bonds with extended family he has never met, connects with his father’s childhood, and comes to love and find peace in the land a carriage driver had described as having nothing beautiful except the sky. Other themes include identity, nostalgia, death and grief, colonialism and the need to fight for freedom. More…
The Mispaired Anklet
This story by R. K. Narayan, is based on the Tamil legend of Kannagi, a devoted wife who stands by her husband despite his love affair with a dancer. When he finally repents after squandering their fortune on entertainment and gifts for the other woman, they move to another city. They live happily there until Kannagi’s husband is framed for theft and summarily executed while trying to sell one of her gold anklets. Kannagi’s wrath is so great that she calls on the gods and has the city destroyed. Later, she learns that her fate was the result of karma. More…
The Heathen
This Jack London story describes the seventeen-year relationship between a hard-drinking American pearl buyer and an outcast Pacific Islander (Otoo). The only survivors of a ship that sinks in a hurricane, the two form a life-long bond. Otoo becomes the American’s shadow and protector and, thanks to his judicious career and investment advice, the friends become wealthy. While the American enjoys their riches, Otoo refuses to spend them. The story ends tragically, with Otoo making the supreme sacrifice in saving the American’s life. Themes include colonialism and exploitation, the power of nature, racism, friendship, selflessness, courage, sacrifice, secular humanism. More…