Featured Stories

Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?

Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?: Short story by Tim O'BrienPrivate First Class Paul Berlin faces three antagonists in this story by Vietnam veteran Tim O’Brien: the enemy (it is after all a war story!), his fellow soldiers (he will be punished and/or branded as a coward if he fails in his duty), and himself (the ability to control his fear). Although the major theme is clearly fear, the story also highlights the naivety and youthful innocence of many of those sent to fight in the war. Fear is presented as two-dimensional. While giving in to it can have grave consequences, facing and harnessing it can save a soldier’s life.

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The Tale

The Tale: Short story by Joseph ConradIn this story by Joseph Conrad, a man tells his lover a tale about an English naval captain (who she later deduces to be him) racked with guilt over a decision made at sea. While sheltering from fog, he encountered a trading ship that he became increasingly suspicious of being a privateer supplying fuel to enemy U-boats. The ship’s papers were in order, and he had no legal basis for seizing it. Nevertheless, he found a way to send it and all on board to their doom without firing a shot. Themes include duty vs. morality in war, guilt. Themes include duty vs. morality in war, guilt.

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Saboteur

Saboteur: Short story by Ha Jin (aka Jin Xuefei)This story from Ha Jin begins with what appears to be a simple shakedown attempt by two corrupt Chinese policemen. The victim, who should have known better, attracts the attention of onlookers (who do nothing), resists arrest (a bad move) and challenges their station officer’s authority (bringing a weekend locked up in miserable conditions). When forced to “confess”, he faces loss of his reputation, job and wife. On release, he morphs from victim to villain. The original trumped-up charge was sabotage; his act of revenge is more like biological terrorism! Themes: police brutality and abuse of power, injustice, capitulation, revenge.

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In the Garden of the North American Martyrs

In the Garden of the North American Martyrs: Short story by Tobias WolffThis early Tobias Wolff story is about a college history professor who has always played it safe by expounding non-controversial views. When her East Coast school of fifteen years closes, she finds tenure in Oregon. However, the climate is not to her liking. After gaining an interview for a position in a prestigious college in upstate New York, she learns that she is a token female candidate with no chance of success. Part of the application process is a lecture, where she finds her own voice for the first time. Themes: identity, betrayal, manipulation, academic integrity, conformity vs. original thought.

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2 B R 0 2 B

2BR02B: Short story by Kurt VonnegutKurt Vonnegut liked to write about imaginary worlds. Some time ago we featured Harrison Bergeron, another Vonnegut story. This was about a dystopian world; a world where most people are unhappy and afraid because they are not treated fairly. In 2BR02B, Earth at first appears perfect. There are no poor, no slums, no prisons, no wars. There is no insanity, disability or disease. Even aging has been cured. Everything is wonderful… unless you want to bring a child into the world. As the story develops, we soon see that this utopian sounding future masks yet another dystopian society.

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The Blind Men and the Elephant

The Blind Men and the Elephant: Children's story from James BaldwinThis children’s story from James Baldwin is based on a religious parable from India. Six blind men come across an elephant for the first time. Although they have often heard about elephants, they have never been close to one. They ask the elephant’s carer if they could try to ‘see’ what it looks like by using their sense of touch. At the end of the story, the blind men are arguing fiercely. Each of them has put their hands on a different part of the elephant’s body. Each of them believes that only he knows what the elephant looks like.

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My Father Goes to Court

My Father Goes to Court: Short story by Carlos BulosanThe message of this Carlos Bulosan story is that money can’t buy health and happiness. The children of a poor family, full of vitality and laughter, spend a lot of time playing outdoors. Their rich neighbor, who keeps his children secluded indoors, files a legal complaint against the poor family for standing outside his house and enjoying the aroma of his food. Their father goes to court and uses a novel approach to win the case. Themes include family, social inequality, standing up for one’s rights, justice, the importance of fresh air, exercise and laughter for a healthy, happy life.

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Reunion

Reunion: Short story by John CheeverJohn Cheever’s Reunion is about a boy (Charlie) who reaches out to meet his estranged father, only to learn that the man is a rude, possibly alcoholic attention-seeker who delights in putting other people down. Before the meeting, Charlie was curious to see what his father was like: he was my father, my flesh and blood, my future and my doom. I knew that when I was grown I would be something like him. In cutting the reunion short, Charlie shows that he has the power to defy nature and avoid following in his father’s footsteps.

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