Featured Stories

Was it a Dream?

Was it a Dream: Short story by Guy de MaupassantThe question in the title of this Guy de Maupassant story could refer to two things: the blissful year the protagonist shared with his lover, or a vision he had while visiting her grave. Similarly, the feelings of emptiness and loss he experiences could be because of two things: the unexpected death of his lover, or what he learned about her death in the vision. A priest had asked if the woman was the man’s mistress. If true, is his reaction at the graveside really justified? Or could Maupassant be pointing out a shameful double standard in French society?

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Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis: Short story by Franz KafkaIn this enigmatic story from Franz Kafka, a man who works hard as a traveling salesman to support his parents and younger sister wakes up one morning having metamorphosed into a giant bug. The father brutally confines the man/bug to his room, and for a period he/it is treated with consideration and compassion by the mother and daughter. However, as the family struggles to deal with their new financial situation, he/it gets less and less attention and ultimately suffers a rather cruel end. Themes include family, identity, self-sacrifice, alienation, transformation, isolation, betrayal, and the absurdity of life.

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One Ordinary Day, With Peanuts

One Ordinary Day, With Peanuts: Short story by Shirley JacksonThe protagonist in this story from Shirley Jackson initially appears too good to be true. A seemingly ordinary man fills his pockets with candy and peanuts and walks the streets of New York, helping strangers and acting “Mr. Nice Guy”. The apparent theme is making a difference… how a good deed, a kind word, or even just a smile can brighten up someone’s day. It is not until we reach the end of the story that we are presented with two other themes: things are not always what they seem, and the duality of good and evil.

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Bliss

Bliss: Short story by Katherine MansfieldIn this story from Katherine Mansfield, a thirty-year-old wife and mother who marvels at her joyful, upper middle-class life learns the meaning of the proverb ignorance is bliss. Throughout the story, which takes place over a single day, she seeks to identify the source of her happiness. Over dinner with some artistic friends, there is an indication that it may be linked to a new friendship with a female guest. Strangely, this results in her first ever strong sexual desire for her husband. Alas, her lust and bliss are soon shattered. Themes: happiness, modernity, sexuality and desire, deception, adultery.

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Blacksoil Country

Blacksoil Country: Short story by David MaloufBlacksoil Country by David Malouf has major themes of struggle (taming the Australian bush}, tolerance (of its native peoples), and perspectives on ownership and access to the land. A settler shoots an innocent Aborigine bearing a gift from a neighbor. Shortly afterwards, his twelve-year-old son is brutally murdered. This triggers a racially driven killing spree which elevates the man from a surly loner nobody wanted to associate with to hero status. Ironically, the boy is the only “white” character to have come close to understanding Aboriginal spiritual connections to the land. Other themes: father-son relationships, loyalty, racism, violence, revenge, spirituality.

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Prey

Prey: Short story by Richard MathesonIn this story by Richard Matheson, a woman buys her new boyfriend a Zuni fetish doll for his birthday. A scroll inside the box reads THIS IS HE WHO KILLS…. HE IS A DEADLY HUNTER. As she prepares to shower, the doll turns out to be the real deal. It escapes the gold chain designed to keep the hunter’s spirit locked inside and sets off in search of prey. Although the girl and the spirit appear temporarily happy with the outcome, the girl’s mother may not be! Themes include control, isolation, violence, fear, determination, the supernatural.

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The Boarded Window

The Boarded Window: Short story by Ambrose BierceIn this short gothic horror story from Ambrose Bierce, a boarded window symbolizes a grieving and possibly PTSD affected man’s desire to shut himself off from the outside world. Murlock shows no signs of traditional mourning over his wife’s passing, so his decision to live as he does could well result from a sense of shame and/or guilt over his part in her death. As we have only his version of the night’s events, it could even be that (with or without a panther) his wild shot was the reason for her throat wound! Themes: isolation, death, shame/guilt, loneliness.

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A Defenseless Creature

A Defenseless Creature: Short story by Anton ChekhovIn addition to his tales highlighting serious issues such as poverty, class, death and unfulfilled expectations, Anton Chekhov wrote dozens of comic short stories to support himself through medical school. In this story, a persistent, shrew-like woman wears down a sickly banker. The exasperated man finally pays money the woman claims is owing to her husband out of his own pocket, even though the alleged debt has nothing to do with his bank. Despite the woman repeatedly describing herself as such, readers are left wondering if the harried banker is the titular “defenseless creature”. Themes: bureaucracy, communication, desperation, persistence.

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