The Kitemaker

The Kitemaker: Short story by Ruskin BondThe major themes of this Ruskin Bond story are change and the isolation/loneliness of the aged. An old man in a once rural Indian village lays back and reflects on his life as a professional kitemaker and how much the world has changed. The village’s traditional social structure, sport of adult kite flying, open spaces, and once close community spirit are no more. His only joy in life is spending time with and making kites for his grandson. A torn kite carried by the wind far above the city symbolizes release of his soul. Other themes: tradition, nostalgia, pride, mortality.

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I Could See the Smallest Things

I Could See the Smallest Things: Short story by Raymond CarverThe title of this story by Raymond Carver is somewhat ironic. When protagonist Nancy looks out her bedroom window, she can see the smallest of things. What she can’t see or won’t acknowledge are the big things in her life that need attention. Concern about her open gate and multiple references to fences symbolize three important themes: insecurity, alienation, and fear of the outside world and/or change. Neighbor Sam’s garden pests represent another: inertia (sluggishness). Sam has moved on from his problems in life; Nancy and husband Cliff have not. Other themes: alcohol abuse, regret, emptiness and lack of fulfilment.

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The Japanese Quince

The Japanese Quince: Short story by John GalsworthyThe message of this story by John Galsworthy can be summarized in the English idiom “stop and smell the roses”. The protagonist and his doppelganger neighbor are so caught up in their daily routines that they not only fail to notice the beauty around them, but also lead solitary, unfulfilled lives alienated from those outside their immediate circle. The titular quince, with its refreshing fragrance and colorful blossoms, symbolizes rebirth. The blackbird’s song represents the potential joy of life that eludes them. Themes: the beauty of nature, work/life balance, alienation, lack of fulfillment/inner emptiness, appearance, social anxiety.

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The Princess and the Tin Box

The Princess and the Tin Box: Short story by James ThurberIn addition to famous short stories such as The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and The Cat-Bird Seat, humorist James Thurber authored numerous “fables for our time”. Many of these satirize the fable/fairy-tale form and, in so doing, provide commentary on aspects of modern society. In this story, a king decrees that he will give his spoiled daughter’s hand in marriage to the prince who brings her the gift she likes the most. Readers are left wondering whether she makes the right choice. Themes: parental pressure/expectations, materialism vs. romantic love, realistic vs. “fairy tale” endings.

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The Grasshopper and the Bell Cricket

The Grasshopper and the Bell Cricket: Short story by Yasunari KawabataIn understanding this story from Yasunari Kawabata, it is important to know that in Japan, grasshoppers are considered common insects whilst bell crickets are highly prized because of each male’s unique cry. In calling out Does anyone want a grasshopper? several times until Kiyoko responds, Fujio signals that he knows which of the two he has caught and who he wants to give it to. To me, the major themes of the story are love and perception: what some may mistake for a grasshopper, others will recognize as a bell cricket (and vice-versa!). Other themes: childhood innocence, individualism, destiny, beauty.

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Four O’clock

Four O'clock: Short story by Price DayThis is the one notable short story from award-winning journalist Price Day. A seemingly ordinary man has been given a series of “special powers” that could benefit mankind. He is too slow in using the first two (the power to ground war planes and prevent road accidents), and is determined not to do the same with the third: the ability to change evil people all over the world in a way that makes them easily identifiable. When he tries to do this, things don’t go according to plan. Themes: moral superiority, tempting fate (be careful what you wish for!), karma.

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There Was Once

There Was Once: Short story by Margaret AtwoodThis humorous vignette from Margaret Atwood uses satire to not only highlight the frequent use of stereotypes in children’s stories, but also draw attention to the modern-day obsession with political correctness. A storyteller is humiliated into whittling his twenty-four-word opening sentence down to just one, and then changing it. This illustrates how, taken to extremes, almost anything one says has the potential to offend someone. Atwood’s message is that literature, the performing arts, news reporting and free speech as we know them would be impossible under such constraints. Themes: storytelling, stereotyping, political correctness, freedom of expression.

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Anxiety

Anxiety: Short story by Grace PaleyIn this story from Grace Paley’s activist period, an elderly woman worries about everything from the imminent destruction of the world to the well-being of two children being walked home from school. A father’s shortness with one of the children prompts the woman to call him out. She begins with the alarmist suggestion that people should enjoy life less and think more about the coming doom. She then elicits the cause of the man’s anger (wounded pride), which seems petty compared to the issues she has just raised. Themes: anxiety, global threats, fatherhood, child innocence, adult indifference.

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