The English Pupil

The English Pupil: Short story by Andrea BarrettIn addition to being a celebration of the life and work of renowned biologist Carl Linnaeus, major themes of this touching story by Andrea Barrett are aging, memory and approaching death. The dying scientist has his coachman take him to his empty country estate where, amid a fog of fading memories, he reminisces about his life and the fate of some of the “apostles” he sent around the world to collect biological specimens. Later, he is joined by a concerned daughter and an unknown man he imagines to be his only surviving pupil. Other themes include family, pride and regret.

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The Shroud / Kafan

The Shroud / Kafan: Short story by PremchandThis dark comedy by Premchand follows father and son Chamars (one of the Dalit or “untouchable” sub-castes) as they go to buy a funeral shroud for the son’s deceased wife. The lazy but likeable pair, who will do anything to shirk work, end up spending donated shroud money on a boozy night in town. The story satirizes the caste system by pointing out that those who can never rise above their low birth position have little incentive to do more than ensure their survival. Themes include social class, callousness, indolence, tradition, selfishness, exploitation (of the generosity of others).

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The Guest

The Guest: Short story by Albert CamusIn this story by Albert Camus, a policeman orders Daru, a teacher from a remote Algerian school, to escort an alleged murderer to the nearest city. Camus was an early philosopher in the field of Existentialism. The story features several existential themes: the absurd (The situation Daru finds himself in.); the need to choose (Daru can follow the policeman’s order or set the man free; the man can go South to freedom or East to captivity.); and angst (Daru was in a “no win” situation. Whatever decision he makes will have unpleasant, and possibly deadly, consequences.) Other themes: honor, hospitality.

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A Home near the Sea

A Home near the Sea: Short story by Kamala DasIn this story by Kamala Das, an Indian woman angrily scolds her husband, a lazy drunkard, as she tells a fellow beggar how a year earlier he lost a secure job and caused them to be evicted from their hut. As the aging woman complains about her lot, the listener brings her to tears. He poetically extols the benefits of living in the open beside the sea, provides encouragement that things will improve, speaks to her of music and artistry, and likens her to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. Themes include marriage (loyalty, jealousy, control and complacency), poverty, negativity, dreams, generosity.

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Tobermory

Tobermory: Short story by H. H. Munro (aka Saki)This story by Saki is a satire of early twentieth century British high society. A group of socialites attend a weekend house-party. Among the guests is a visiting scientist who was invited in the hope that his cleverness would contribute to the general entertainment. All are amazed when he teaches Tobermory, the family housecat, to speak perfect English. However, their surprise soon turns to anger at some of the things Tobermory has to say. This seals Tobermory’s fate… he knows too much and must be silenced! Themes include wonder, superficiality and hypocrisy, embarrassment, anger, retribution

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Thus Were Their Faces

Thus Were Their Faces: Short story by Silvina OcampoIn this surreal, rather abstract story by Silvina Ocampo, a seemingly confused (or perhaps mentally disturbed) narrator describes the bizarre behavior of children at a boarding school. The students begin to act as if they want to become equal, and increasingly lose their individuality. Seemingly directed by a collective consciousness, they strive to look and act the same and develop a strange fascination with wings. In the “miraculous” climax, we learn that all children attending the school share a common characteristic: it is a school for the deaf! Themes include identity, equality, freedom, the supernatural.

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With All Flags Flying

With All Flags Flying: Short story by Anne TylerAn unusual aspect of this Anne Tyler story about an eighty-two-year-old man going into an “old folks’ home” is that he is doing it out of choice and on his own terms. The old man has renounced the material world. For him, the most important possessions in life are his independence and dignity. Although he has a loving family who would gladly house and care for him, he is ashamed of his growing weakness and steadfastly (and somewhat selfishly) refuses to be loved at any cost. Themes: aging, independence, frugality/minimalism, family, pride, stubbornness.

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Dominoes

Dominoes: Short story by Jack AgüerosJack Agüeros cleverly uses a game of dominoes to illustrate two common themes affecting Puerto Rican immigrants living in the United States: fate vs. free will, and the Latin American concept of machismo. Fate is mirrored by the game and its outcome. Is it over as soon as you get your hand, as Tito says, or a game of skill where you can influence the result? Machismo (being seen as a man among men) introduces several sub-themes: pride, patronization of women, competitiveness, protection of honor, success with women, insecurity, and the ever-present prospect of violence.

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