Everyday Use

Everyday Use: Short story by Alice WalkerAlice Walker’s study of mother-daughter relationships explores contrasting attitudes towards heritage. A self-centered college graduate (Dee) visits her mother, a poor farming widow. The mother values her African-American heritage; Dee tries to exploit it. Their positions are exemplified in a family heirloom: a hand-stitched quilt that has been promised to Dee’s sister. Dee demands it, claiming that such things are now trendy and valuable. She claims it will be wasted on her sister, who will probably put it to “everyday use”. Themes: heritage, racial identity, connection through tradition, appearance, materialism (the effect of higher education / city life on values).

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The Pardon of Becky Day

The Pardon of Becky Day: Short story by John Fox, Jr.A motif of this classic Western by John Fox, Jr. could well be the scheming nature of women. A neighbor misled the community as to Becky’s virtue to win her boyfriend Jim’s heart; both women manipulate the men around them to maintain their “honor”; a missionary uses the threat of a deathbed curse to force the reluctant neighbor to seek Becky’s forgiveness; and, based on the smile on Becky’s face when she dies, her words of forgiveness may have been feigned to make sure that she will “git thar” [where Jim is] first. Themes: deception, hate, lawless violence, forgiveness, superstition.

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The Imitation of the Rose

The Imitation of the Rose: Short story by Clarice LispectorIf you are looking for a light read, this story by Clarice Lispector is not for you! The protagonist (Laura) has just come home from hospital following a nervous breakdown. Her husband has expectations about a having a “normal” night out together with friends. The story has little more by way of plot, taking place mostly in Laura’s mind. The main themes are mental health, gender identity and family roles. By nature a submissive and withdrawn person, Laura is successfully adjusting to life back at home. Unfortunately, deciding on what to do with a bunch of roses rekindles her anxiety.

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An Upheaval

An Upheaval: Short story by Anton ChekhovMajor themes of his story by Anton Chekhov include social class, pride, respect, dignity and courage. A young woman in her first job as a governess returns from a walk to find the woman of the house searching her room for a missing brooch. She is so offended and incensed that, despite entreaties by the woman’s husband, she decides to leave. An unusual (for Chekhov) aspect of the story is that here we have a relatively powerless woman stand up to the humiliating treatment of her aristocratic employer, even though it may cost her and her parents dearly.

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The Son from America

The Son from America: Short story by Isaac Bashevis SingerThe major theme of this moving story by Isaac Singer is contentment. Set in a Polish farming village during the late 19th century, an old couple eke out a meager existence following their traditional way of life. Hidden away in their hut is a small fortune, saved from money sent over the years by their son in America. When the son visits with plans to provide further help and improve the amenities of the village, his offers are rejected. Additional themes: family, materialiam (money vs. happiness), religious faith, community spirit, change (urbanization, invention), pace of life (city vs. country).

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Knock

Knock: Short story by Fredric BrownThis story by Fredric Brown begins and ends with what may be the shortest horror story ever written: The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door… A scientist wakes to find himself alone in a cell. The previous night Alien invaders had collected 217 animal species, including him, for study. They then destroyed all other animal life on the planet. He convinces them that Earth is a dangerous place to live. After they have gone, he hears the second knock on the door. Themes include exploration, genocide, deceit, solitude, “duty”.

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The Faith Cure Man

The Faith Cure Man: Short story by Paul DunbarIn this story from Paul Dunbar, a faith healer provides the last hope for a desperate woman who has been told that medical science can do nothing more for her seriously ill daughter. Despite the narrator’s skepticism, the tragic ending neither proves nor disproves the validity of faith healing. Although the mother certainly has the “faith”, the poor child is too young and/or sick to understand or even care about what is happening around her. The major theme of the story is that distraught people are easy prey to those offering false hope. Other themes: love, desperation, hope, faith, death.

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The District Doctor

The District Doctor: Short story by Ivan TurgenevThe major themes of this story by Ivan Turgenev are duty, lying, love, death and betrayal. A doctor becomes infatuated with a beautiful 20-year-old patient. As the woman’s condition worsens, he lies to her family about her chances of recovery. On sensing her coming death, the woman tells the doctor she loves him. He replies that he also loves her, accepts her ring, and promises to ask for her mother’s blessing. When the woman confesses their love to her mother, the doctor denies everything and blames her fever. Broken-hearted, she for asks his forgiveness and re-affirms her love before dying.

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