Featured Stories

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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They’re Made Out Of Meat

They're Made Out Of Meat: Short story by Terry BissonAt first read, this very short story by Terry Bisson appears to be a humorous exchange with little substance. Two alien space explorers are discussing whether to make contact with a newly discovered intelligent life form. They are uneasy about it because the life form seems to be composed entirely of meat. The major theme of the story is prejudice: the aliens consider themselves above all other life. How can beings so different to them be capable of such advanced thought? Also, an interesting dietary theme: Is it right that one sentient life form (man) kills and eats others (animals)?

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Railroad Standard Time

Railroad Standard Time: Short story by Frank ChinMajor themes of this semi-autobiographical story by Frank Chin are time (symbolized by an inherited pocket watch that keeps Railroad Standard Time), the clash between traditional Chinese and ‘modern’ American culture, and the need to move away from long-held stereotypes of Chinese-American men and women. Ironically for a story that focuses on time, the plot does not proceed linearly. As the narrator drives to and from his mother’s funeral, the story moves from memories of the past to the present and then back again, with the watch providing a connection between them. Other themes: nostalgia, family, cultural heritage, identity, masculinity.

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The Wreath

The Wreath: Short story by Luigi PirandelloIn this moving story by Luigi Pirandello, a middle-aged doctor is disturbed to learn that his much younger wife, who still has feelings for a former lover who died before they married, has gone behind his back and secretly ordered a wreath for the anniversary of his death. At first angry and ready to “take her back to her father’s house,” he calms down and finally accompanies her to the cemetery. Touched by his gesture, she looks at him as she had never looked at him before. Themes include the beauty of nature, love, mourning, deceit, understanding and compassion.

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Swimming Lessons

Swimming Lessons: Short story by Rohinton MistryThe major themes of this entertaining story by diasporic author Rohinston Mistry are alienation, cultural adjustment, and memory. The plot alternates between the experiences of an unnamed Parsi immigrant living in Toronto, and his parent’s reaction to his nostalgic manuscript about growing up in Bombay. Swimming is a means of moving forward while staying afloat, and his swimming lessons in order to “fit in” could also be seen as a metaphor for surviving and flourishing in his adopted country. Other themes include loneliness and desire, fear, racism, aging and death, cause and effect.

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Ahoy, Sailor Boy!

Ahoy, Sailor Boy!: Short story by A. E. CoppardThis story by A. E. Coppard takes a light-hearted look at death and what comes after. Following a discussion in an English pub about death and divine retribution, an off-duty sailor unsuccessfully tries to solicit an attractive ghost in a park. The woman’s sin was vanity, as represented by a huge collection of expensive clothing. In order to obtain redemption, she must re-wear and discard every item in the collection. She is wearing the last outfit, and the sailor eagerly watches as she undresses for the last time. Themes include death and the afterlife, vanity, sexuality, kindness, redemption, the supernatural.

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Powder

Powder: Short story by Tobias WolffThis story from Tobias Wolff explores the relationship between a boy and his father at a time when his parent’s marriage is failing. The two have very different personalities. The boy is conservative and super-organized; the father carefree and irresponsible with little regard for rules. In order to return his son home from a skiing holiday in time for Christmas, the father disregards a police barrier and attempts a dangerous drive down a mountain in heavy snow. The boy shares a moment of bonding with his father as he uncharacteristically decides to ignore the potential consequences and enjoy the experience.

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The Prussian Officer

The Prussian Officer: Short story by D. H. LawrenceThe central themes of D. H. Lawrence’s The Prussian Officer are homoerotic attraction and abuse of power. An aristocratic officer becomes envious of and sexually attracted towards his orderly. Drawn by the twenty-two-year-old’s youthful innocence and vigor, the officer denies and tries to repress his feelings. Sensing what is happening, the orderly is cooler than usual towards him. The agitated officer responds cruelly, and the tension between them mounts until reaching a point where the orderly can take no more. Minor themes: (the officer) jealousy, denial, obsession, sadism; (the orderly) duty, loss of innocence, humiliation, isolation, loss of self-control.

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