The major theme of this story by Deborah Eisenberg is the need to be heard. A once up-and-coming concert pianist struggles to deal with a stalled career and failed relationship. Potential salvation arrives with an invitation to perform in an unnamed Latin American country. Patronizing treatment by the concert’s upper-class organizers, a walk through poorer neighborhoods, and the inane behavior of a British radio journalist, emphasize the importance for people of all persuasions to not only speak out, but also be heard and understood. Other themes: loneliness, alienation, elitism, class, poverty, oppression, indifference to the suffering of others. More…
Day of the Butterfly
The 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 More…
The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven
This story by Sherman Alexie highlights the difficulty tribal Native-Americans have assimilating into American society. A Spokane Indian recalls his breakup with a white kindergarten teacher he loved. Their relationship was one of constant fights and arguments, often over his excessive drinking. Tortured by violent dreams, he returned to the community of the reservation. After several idle months he once again finds work in the outside world, where a call from his ex-girlfriend suggests they still have feelings for one another but are too afraid to pursue them. Themes include community vs. isolation, prejudice, alcohol abuse, love and hatred. More…
Snow
Although this Alice Adams story has little action, a lot is achieved. A middle-aged man initially questions his decision to create a “diversion” for his first meeting with his daughter’s lesbian lover in the form of a weekend skiing trip with his girlfriend. Talking in their isolated cabin that night, the three women reveal things about themselves that not only bring the man closer to his daughter and girlfriend, but also help him understand his initial feelings (jealousy) toward his daughter’s partner. Themes include fatherhood, sexuality, deception, sexual assault, teenage pregnancy, jealousy, love. More…
The Green Door
This story by O. Henry provides a mix of adventure, mystery, romance and humor. By day, Rudolf Steiner lives a normal life working in a piano store. At night, he walks the streets looking for adventure. One night, adventure calls in an unusual way. A man standing outside a building hands him a card containing the words: The Green Door. Rudolf goes inside and knocks on the only green door he can find, leading to a series of events that could change his life. Themes include the nature of adventure (risk vs. rewards), chance vs. fate, romance. More…