Doc’s Story

Doc's Story: Short story by John Edgar WidemanIn this story by John Edgar Wideman, a young man recovering from a break-up with his girlfriend is inspired by a story about “Doc”, a former academic and college basketballer who lost his eyesight. Doc could still shoot baskets from the foul line, and once held his own in a full game. This causes him to wonder whether, if he had told Doc’s story to his former girlfriend (If a blind man could play basketball surely we . . .), he could have saved their relationship. Themes include relationships, storytelling, race, depression, overcoming challenges, inspiration, hope.

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The Wreath

The Wreath: Short story by Luigi PirandelloIn this moving story by Luigi Pirandello, a middle-aged doctor is disturbed to learn that his much younger wife, who still has feelings for a former lover who died before they married, has gone behind his back and secretly ordered a wreath for the anniversary of his death. At first angry and ready to “take her back to her father’s house,” he calms down and finally accompanies her to the cemetery. Touched by his gesture, she looks at him as she had never looked at him before. Themes include the beauty of nature, love, mourning, deceit, understanding and compassion.

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The Son

The Son: Short story by Horacio QuirogaIn this emotionally charged story by Horacio Quiroga, a thirteen-year-old boy goes hunting in woods near his home. He is well aware of the dangers associated with hunting alone, and competent in the use of a gun. The boy’s father, who is not well and suffers from hallucinations, becomes concerned when he does not return at the agreed time. Fearing the worst, he begins a frantic search, growing increasingly anxious until finding, or thinking he finds, the boy safe and unharmed. Themes include parental love, isolation, nature and survival, trust, anxiety, fear, illusion, death.

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The Rocking-Horse Winner

The Rocking-horse Winner: Short story by D. H. LawrenceThis tragic story by D. H. Lawrence is about a boy whose parents seem more interested in their social position than their children. The only adults who have time for the boy are an uncle and the family’s young gardener, both of whom are passionate followers of horseracing. The boy desperately wants his mother’s love and approval. As she is constantly complaining about not having enough money, he comes up with an unusual approach to winning some by betting on the races. Themes include family/parental responsibility, materialism and appearances, greed, selfishness, “luck” vs. hard work.

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The Magic Shop

The Magic Shop: Short story by H. G. WellsThis delightful fantasy from H. G. Wells is about ‘magic’ and perception. A father and son enter a strange Magic Shop. As they begin to look around, the shopkeeper appears and entertains them with some ‘magic’. The innocent boy watches in awe, while his skeptical father looks for the sources of trickery. The pair moves further into the store and witness additional, seemingly impossible wonders. The father, realizing that what he sees may be real, becomes increasingly uncomfortable and begins to suspect the presence of unnatural forces. Themes: childhood innocence and wonder, father-son relationships, trickery vs. the supernatural.

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The Chaser

The Chaser: Short story by John CollierOn the surface, John Collier’s The Chaser is a light-hearted story about a young man looking to buy a love potion to enchant the woman of his dreams. However, in the old man’s final words Au revoir (goodbye until we meet again), we realize that the story may be the rising action in a longer plot. A major theme is manipulation. Alan is being as cruelly manipulated as he hopes to manipulate Diana. Other themes: true love vs. obsessive desire, equality vs. servility in relationships, morality (lack of respect for and destruction of Diana’s identity, murder as a solution).

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The Death of a Government Clerk

The Death of a Government Clerk: Short story by Anton ChekhovIn this playful story by Anton Chekhov, a government clerk enjoying a night at the opera is dismayed when an unexpected sneeze lands droplets on the bald head of a civilian General. Although his immediate apology is accepted, the clerk not only makes a nuisance of himself with continued apologies during the performance, but pesters the general over the next two days trying to explain what happened. As the general becomes increasingly angry, the clerk becomes increasingly anxious until the stress gets too much for him. Themes include social class (living in fear), guilt, insecurity, paranoia, anxiety.

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The Night Face Up

The Night Face Up: Short story by Julio CortázarIn this story by Julio Cortázar, a man hospitalized after a motorcycle accident drifts in and out between the “present” and a “dream” in which he is a member of an ancient tribe being hunted by Aztec warriors for sacrifice. As he struggles to stay awake in his hospital ward, his dream-self is captured, imprisoned, and carried up the temple steps for execution. At the moment of death, he recalls a dream about riding through an astonishing city on an enormous metal insect that whirred away between his legs. Themes include time and space (parallel worlds), existence, dreams vs. reality.

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