The major theme of this inspirational story by Mulk Raj Anand is class as reflected in the Indian caste system. When a young barber tries to improve his appearance by dressing more professionally, he is verbally abused and humiliated by village elders for acting above his “lowly” position in life. Rather than becoming disillusioned and giving in to their ingrained bigotry, he changes the way he works, makes more money than ever before, and ingeniously turns the tables on his detractors. Other themes: human dignity, alienation, appearance, determination, ingenuity, organized labor. More…
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Roman Fever
The major themes of this Edith Wharton story are friendship, rivalry, jealousy, deception and passion. A notable feature is the gradual build-up of animosity between the main characters. Two American widows, lifelong friends, meet up in Rome. The pair have been measuring themselves against each other for most of their lives. The comparisons extend to their daughters, one of whom is more outgoing and vivacious than the other. In an effort to hurt the mother of this girl, the other reveals a cruel secret from the past. In the shattering conclusion, an even crueler secret is thrown back at her. More…
The Middleman
The most succinct summary of this Bharati Mukherjee story I’ve seen came from a Goodreads review: An Iraqi Jew unwittingly aids a Central American revolution. There is obviously a lot more to it, including lust, arms smuggling, treachery and murder. Moreover, rather than being a revolutionary hero, the protagonist is an unscrupulous American criminal on the run from the law. Although he calls himself a “middleman”, we don’t see him act as such. Being new to the country, he is hoping to make a living from things that fall. And something certainly does! Themes: lust, corruption, exploitation, betrayal, violence. More…
The Fall of Edward Barnard
Although ostensibly themed around a clash of cultures (East vs. West), this story from W. Somerset Maugham is also about alternative lifestyles (materialistic vs. minimalist). Through extensive use of irony, the story contrasts the lust for money, power and status of American industrialists and socialites with the Tahitian way of living in harmony with nature. In presenting the contrast, the story implies that although the environment a person grows up in shapes their values and beliefs, a change of surroundings can drastically alter them. Other themes: friendship, loyalty, romance, pride, racism. More…
The Darling
In psychological terms, Anton Chekhov’s ‘darling’ (Olga) suffers from Codependency Personality Disorder. More specifically, she is a vicarious codependent – someone who suspends their identity and gains fulfillment through the accomplishments of another. Olga’s ‘attachments’ in life include her father, a theatre manager, a timber merchant, a veterinary surgeon, and a young boy. Her relationship with the boy differs from the others. Being forced to assume a ‘motherly’ role rekindles Olga’s female identity. Sadly, motherhood and codependency don’t sit well together. In rediscovering her own identity, Olga begins to smother that of the boy. Themes: codependency, subservience, death, abandonment, identity, motherhood. More…