Walker Brothers Cowboy

Walker Brothers Cowboy: Short story by Alice MunroAlthough set in rural Ontario, there isn’t a cow to be seen in this Depression-era story from Alice Munro. The “cowboy”, once a successful fox farmer, is now a door-to-door household product salesman. The story’s central themes are father-daughter relationships, poverty, pride, dealing with reduced circumstances, and nostalgia. The man’s wife is bitterly resentful of the extent to which the family have “come down” in the world, while an arguably worse-off ex-girlfriend he and his children visit during one of his rounds is still able to enjoy life. Understandably, his daughter (the narrator) is somewhat disturbed by the meeting.

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Yesterday was Beautiful

Yesterday was Beautiful: Short story by Roald DahlWith the devastation currently taking place in Ukraine, we have decided to feature a story highlighting the misery of innocent victims of war. Roald Dahl’s short stories are known for their dark comedy and unexpected endings. There is nothing funny about this story. However, he does manage an unexpected twist that emphasizes the overall theme reflected in the title: In war, things can go from “beautiful” to your worst nightmare overnight. Other themes: (for civilians) indiscriminate bombing, senseless death and destruction, psychological trauma, anger, revenge; (for combatants) collateral damage, personal survival.

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The Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice: Short story by Nick JoaquinThis story by Filipino writer Nick Joaquin takes place over the final two days of a “hybrid” religious festival. Because both take place over the summer solstice, the Catholic feast of St John and pagan Tadtarin fertility rituals are celebrated together. Tadtarin is performed exclusively by women (or men dressed up as women), invoking their power to ensure a bountiful harvest. Events lead to an unsettling climax where a usually submissive wife pitilessly humiliates her rich landowner husband. Themes include gender stereotypes (especially male domination and cruelty towards women) and cultural changes brought about by Westernization.

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A Perfect Day for Bananafish

A Perfect Day for Bananafish: Short story by J. D. SalingerThe major theme of this J. D. Salinger story is an extension of another we have featured by the same author. In For Esmé with Love and Squalor, a teenager’s friendship and compassion help a young soldier recover from PTSD. Here, a returned soldier is suffering its long-term effects. He copes by trying to avoid the company of adults (including his vain, materialistic wife) and finds pleasure in music, poetry and spending time with young children. Major themes: the effects of war on mental health, alienation, loneliness, childhood innocence, vanity and materialism, suicide.

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The Red Bow

The Red Bow: Short story by George SaundersThis dystopian story from George Saunders is often referred to as a metaphor for the post 9-11 Afghan and Iraq Wars. It is also an allegory of a much older, far-reaching problem: ethnic cleansing. A small group of dogs (people) is seen as a direct threat and are eliminated. After this, paranoia sets in. All dogs and cats (minority groups) become suspect and must also be removed. The dictatorial rise of Uncle Max by exploiting fear of the perceived “enemy” is also symbolic of the way many world leaders have come to power. Themes: tragedy, grief, paranoia, protection, authoritarianism.

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And of Clay Are We Created

And of Clay Are We Created: Short story by Isabel AllendeThis confronting story from Isabel Allende is based on the real life plight of Omayra Sánchez, killed in a volcanic eruption in 1985. It highlights the confusion and suffering that often accompanies natural disasters, and the human and psychological tolls on both victims and responders. The irony of the story is that despite the massive resources employed by news agencies to cover the incident, they were unable to locate and bring in a pump to save the girl. Themes include man against nature, compassion, courage, faith/acceptance of fate, the healing effect of facing and sharing past tragedies.

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Two Kinds

Two Kinds: Short story by Amy TanA new slang term came into existence several years ago: Tiger Mother. This story by Amy Tan involves a perfect example of one. A fierce argument takes place between a mother and daughter following a disastrous piano recital. When the daughter refuses to continue practicing, the mother responds: Only two kinds of daughters. Those who are obedient and those who follow their own mind! Only one kind of daughter can live in this house. Obedient daughter! Ironically, blind obedience may not be the best strategy for success in America. Themes include mother-daughter relationships, matriarchal power, pride, individuality and self-determination, rebellion.

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This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen

This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen: Short story by Tadeusz BorowskiThis almost clinical account of Tadeusz Borowski’s holocaust experiences explores an often overlooked aspect of the so-called “final solution”: how general prisoners forced to assist in sending the condemned to gas chambers became so desensitized to the brutality that many actively participated in it. Because of their access to discarded food and clothing, these men formed the “elite” among the prisoner hierarchy. In camp, their insensitivity to suffering prevailed and many looked down on and showed little compassion for the plight of “less fortunate” fellow inmates. Themes: man’s inhumanity to man, death and suffering, the survival instinct, detachment, guilt, rationalization.

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