A Painful Case

A Painful Case: Short story by James JoyceThe title of this James Joyce story could refer to both the protagonist and the poor woman he drove to alcoholism and possible suicide. James Duffy is a loner who lives an orderly, spartan life. He meets and becomes close friends with the neglected wife of a sea captain. When she hints at feelings stronger than friendship, he immediately terminates the relationship. This and the cryptic sentence he wrote afterwards about such a friendship being impossible because there must be sexual intercourse highlight the major theme (repressed sexuality). Other themes include loneliness, isolation, order, morality, emotional paralysis, guilt.

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The Daffodil Sky

The Daffodil Sky: Short story by H. G. BatesIn this story by H. E. Bates, a man sent to prison for killing a love rival in a jealous rage returns to the scene of the crime. His intent is to confront the woman they were fighting over, who was once his fiancé. As he knocks on her door he has a premonition that if she opened the door he might not be able to restrain himself but would rush straight at her and kill her. Fortunately for him, the person who opens it is a pleasant surprise. Themes: passion, jealousy and rage, choices and consequences, alienation and loneliness.

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Minutes of Glory

Minutes of Glory: Short story by Ngugi Wa Thiong'oThis Ngugi Wa Thiong’o story highlights the human cost of progress in developing countries such as post-independence Kenya. Its main themes are exploitation, class differences, identity, loneliness and appearances. A young woman leaves her village in search of a better life in the city. She is poorly educated, and ends up working as a hostess in beer bars. Unhappy with the life, the money she makes and her appearance, she dreams of something better. Cut off from her family and alone in the world, she steals money from a customer and uses it to experience a few minutes of glory.

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The Good Doctor

The Good Doctor: Short story by Adam HaslettThis story by Adam Haslett explores the frustrations of a young government psychiatrist as he makes a house call to evaluate a remote patient. The woman, living with guilt, depression and fear after the death of her methamphetamine-addicted eldest son, wants to renew her prescriptions. The doctor strongly believes she is also in need of therapy, but faces two problems in providing it: distance (a five-hour round-trip to see her), and the woman’s refusal to participate. Themes include social change, rural poverty and lack of opportunity, shattered dreams, disillusionment, substance abuse, guilt, PTSD, alienation, biological psychiatry vs. clinical psychology.

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The Hungry Stones

The Hungry Stones: Short story by Rabindranath TagoreThe central theme of this story by Rabindranath Tagore is the nature of truth (i.e. that our beliefs, experiences and circumstances tend to shape our perception of reality). A train passenger shares a story about the time he stayed alone in a deserted, seemingly haunted palace. According to local legend, those who slept there either disappeared or went mad. Unfortunately, the train arrives before he discloses the palace’s secret. The narrator dismisses the story as a fabrication. His companion, a theosophist who believes in the spirit world, disagrees. Other themes include the supernatural, greed and desire, fear, uncertainty.

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Circular Ruins

Circular Ruins: Short story by Jorge BorgesIn this story by Jorge Borges, a mystic arrives at the overgrown, burnt-out ruins of an ancient temple. Living as an ascetic, his purpose is to “dream” a man into existence, initiate him into the riddles of the universe, and send him to inhabit another temple. Before they part, he manipulates his creation’s memory so neither he nor anyone else will know he is a spirit. Later, on the point of death, the mystic learns that he, too, is the product of a dream. Themes include philosophical idealism, dreams vs. reality, the circle of life, creation, religion and spirituality.

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Was it a Dream?

Was it a Dream: Short story by Guy de MaupassantThe question in the title of this Guy de Maupassant story could refer to two things: the blissful year the protagonist shared with his lover, or a vision he had while visiting her grave. Similarly, the feelings of emptiness and loss he experiences could be because of two things: the unexpected death of his lover, or what he learned about her death in the vision. A priest had asked if the woman was the man’s mistress. If true, is his reaction at the graveside really justified? Or could Maupassant be pointing out a shameful double standard in French society?

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A Mystery of Heroism

A Mystery of Heroism: Short story by Stephen CraneAs the title suggests, this story from Stephen Crane explores the concept of what makes a “hero”. In trying to answer the question, the story considers issues such as recklessness vs. bravery and the danger of bravado. It also touches on perspectives of heroism. To an injured officer, the protagonist is a hero; to his fellow soldiers, he is an impetuous fool. The irony of a dropped bucket at the end of the story suggests that many acts of heroism in wartime are wasted, having no impact on the outcome. Themes: war, duty, death, bravado, pride, heroism.

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