The Star

The Star: Short story by Arthur C. ClarkeIn Arthur C. Clarke’s The Star, a manned spaceship travels to the edge of the galaxy to explore a nebula (cloud of interstellar gas) surrounding a collapsed star. Within the nebula is a burnt out planet that miraculously survived the explosion. On the planet is a huge stone marker left by a highly advanced civilization that did not survive. Under the marker, buried deep inside the planet, is a vault containing the civilization’s secrets. Among these is a disturbing discovery that challenges our traditional concepts of God. Themes: religious faith, science vs. religion, humankind as the center of the universe.

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Oliver’s Evolution

Oliver's Evolution: Short story by John UpdikeIn this story by John Updike, a troublesome toddler who had come late in his parents’ little pack of offspring is loved, but not enough to prevent his near death. Later, as a child, he is still loved, but not enough to detect a “sleepy” eye in time to fix it. After his parents divorce, there is even less love for the troubled teen who gets bad grades, abandons jobs and misses opportunities. Fortunately, after marrying an equally troubled girl, he transforms into a responsible, loving husband and father. Themes include parent-child relationships, neglect, responsibility, personal growth.

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The Gift of the Magi

Gift of the Magi: Short story by O. HenryHave you ever thought long and hard about what would be the prefect Christmas gift for someone you love? This story by O. Henry is one of the most famous Christmas stories of all time. It tells how a poor couple each sell their most valuable possession in order to buy a Christmas present that they feel is good enough for the one they love. The irony is that neither can use the precious gift the other has bought them. Themes (see analysis) include love, sacrifice, wisdom, beauty, generosity, and value.

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The Homecoming

The Homecoming: Chinese folktale from Laurence YepThis Chinese folktale retold by Laurence Yep is about a poor woodcutter who is easily distracted. He takes a keen interest in everyone’s business but his own, and has an annoying habit of giving advice, whether asked for or not, pointing out how people he meets could do things better. One day, he comes across two strange men playing Xiangqi (Chinese chess) in a forest, and can’t resist stopping to offer suggestions about their best next moves. In a Rip Van Winkle-like conclusion, he finds many changes on returning home, having been being missing for thousands of years

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An Hour with Abuelo

An Hour with Abuelo: Short story by Judith Ortiz CoferWhen the young protagonist in this Judith Ortiz Cofer story reluctantly visits a nursing home to spend an hour with his abuelo (grandfather), he admits to knowing very little about the old man’s background. The abuelo has written a short biography. He seems quite proud of what he has achieved in life given the challenges that came his way. However, the naïve boy is left wondering why the old man didn’t fight harder to realize his childhood dreams. Themes: aging, memories, language (words), ambition, acceptance (Asi es la vida = Such is life!), regret, sacrifice, family responsibility.

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The Interlopers

The Interlopers: Short story by H. H. Munro (aka Saki)This story by Saki has perhaps the shortest surprise ending of all: a single word that comprises the last line of the story. Two families have been feuding for years over the use of a poor piece of forest land. When the heads of the families find themselves trapped under a fallen tree, they realize how silly they have been and promise to be friends for life. Sadly, just as they are looking forward to a more peaceful future, some unexpected visitors spoil it all. Themes: greed, pride, inherited hatred, man vs. nature, social class.

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The Outcasts of Poker Flat

The Outcasts of Poker Flat: Short story by Bret HarteBret Harte’s “outcasts” are four “improper persons” (a gambler, a prostitute, a brothel madam, and a drunkard and suspected thief) banished by a vigilante group from a Californian Gold Rush town. When they camp for the night on the way to the next settlement, the drunkard steals their horses. The other three and a young couple journeying the other way find themselves “snowed in” in a secluded mountain cabin. With food and firewood running low, we see another side of the remaining outcasts. Themes: appearances; immorality vs. innocence; goodness; sacrifice; the power of nature; luck, fate and human agency.

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Oysters

Oysters: Short story by Anton ChekhovIn this story by Anton Chekhov a young boy so weak from hunger that he can barely stand sees a sign in a restaurant advertising oysters. He knows that oysters are some kind of seafood. However, he does not know what they look like. In his hunger-affected state, the boy imagines himself eating creatures half-way between a crab and a frog. He then pictures himself eating up everything around him. He suddenly comes back to earth when two rich “gentlemen” agree to introduce him to the real thing. Themes include poverty, social class, insensitivity, shame, false pride, vanity, unconditional love.

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