Two Words

Two Words: Short story by Isabel AllendeIn this story by Isabel Allende a young woman has become famous, traveling an unnamed South American country by foot delivering news, storytelling, writing letters for people, and selling “secret” words that have magical powers. One day, a feared bandit/rebel leader forces her to write a motivating political speech to help him become president. On departing, she whispers two words in his ear. The speech is such a success he becomes the favorite to win the election. However, obsessed by the meaning of her two words, he withdraws into himself. Themes include hardship, courage and determination, loneliness, the power of words.

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The Long-Distance Runner

The Long-Distance Runner: Short story by Grace PaleyThis Grace Paley story describes a middle-aged runner’s surreal journey through the now predominantly African American neighborhood in which she grew up. When a thoughtless word leads to screams for help, she shelters for three weeks with the people living in her old family apartment. The story’s major theme is change. While some things are the same (poverty, kindness, motherly love), the world has moved on. The neighborhood has changed (the racial mix, urban decay, a climate of fear), as has the city (‘maleness’, less family unity, drug use). In confronting her past, she learns there is no going back.

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Why Had I Left Home?

Why Had I Left Home?: Short story by Carlos BulosanThis extract from Carlos Bulosan’s semi-autobiographical novel America Is in the Heart relates how, as a young man, he immigrated to America to start a new life. Upon arrival, he falls victim of a Filipino scammer and earns just $13 for three months’ work in an Alaskan canning factory. Later, he witnesses violence and death in a “Filipino” dance hall, and experiences camaraderie, friendship, and a racist gang attack on an apple farm. He must have asked himself several times: “Why Had I Left Home?” Themes include expectations vs. reality, exploitation, friendship, violence, racism, resilience, perseverance.

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African Passions

African Passions: Short story by Beatriz RiveraThis Beatriz Rivera story blends a serious tale about the end of a dysfunctional relationship with the humorous antics of eight Santería gods. The unfortunate woman in the fourteen-year co-habitation is feeling frisky but being ignored. She invokes the gods with the words I want pleasure! And I want it right away!. Later, after her cowardly partner ends things as they drive around trying to bury a cat the gods threw out their ninth story window, she prays: African Powers … help me get over this man! Themes: love, innocence, spirituality, passivity, moving on (Teresa); social class, exploitation, deceit (Armando).

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Blow-Up

Blow-Up: Short story by Julio CortázarAfter a commentary on the role of perspective and the art of storytelling, this Julio Cortázar story goes on to describe how an amateur photographer captures an image that seemingly comes alive, rewriting its narrative. While taking the photograph (of an adolescent boy in an obviously uncomfortable discussion with an adult woman) he comes up with several possible interpretations of what is taking place and what may happen afterwards. Things take a dark turn when he realizes that a man in a nearby car is part of the narrative. Themes include storytelling, narrative perspective, speculation, obsession, artistic imagery vs. reality.

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Day of the Butterfly

Day of the Butterfly: Short story by Alice MunroThe themes of this distressing story from Alice Munro are being different, isolation, bullying, connection and betrayal. Myra’s family looks and dresses differently. At school, her introverted younger brother needs her constant support and protection. The other children in her class (always in groups of course!) ridicule her. For most of them, feigned acceptance comes when Myra is hospitalized with leukemia and it becomes fashionable to be seen to care. Sadly, a brief period of connection with the narrator ends with a decision to discard what may have been Myra’s last ever gift

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The Budget

The Budget: Short story by Mario BenedettiThe major theme of this satirical tale by Mario Benedetti is the inefficiency of government bureaucracy and decision-making in 1940s Uruguay. A small government Office, which doesn’t seem to exist for any purpose, has operated within the same annual budget for decades. When its financially struggling staff hear rumours of an imminent budget increase, they go into debt and splurge on luxuries as if a salary increase had already been granted. A year later, as the paperwork weaves its way through the Ministerial approval process, the disillusioned employees are still waiting. Other themes include indolence, hope and disillusionment.

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A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings

A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings: Short story by Gabriel García MárquezThe major themes of this story by Gabriel García Márquez are doubt, cruelty and greed, and common reactions to those who appear strange or “different”. The treatment of the out of sorts angel and “spider girl” evoke genuine pathos and carry allusions to how some countries lock up refugees in miserable conditions and the likes of Joseph Merrick (the deformed gentleman paraded around 19th century England as The Elephant Man). The only uplifting moment comes when the innocent child climbs through a hole in the old man’s cage to play with him. Other themes include suffering, religion and the supernatural.

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