In Arthur C. Clarke’s The Star, a manned spaceship travels to the edge of the galaxy to explore a nebula (cloud of interstellar gas) surrounding a collapsed star. Within the nebula is a burnt out planet that miraculously survived the explosion. On the planet is a huge stone marker left by a highly advanced civilization that did not survive. Under the marker, buried deep inside the planet, is a vault containing the civilization’s secrets. Among these is a disturbing discovery that challenges our traditional concepts of God. Themes: religious faith, science vs. religion, humankind as the center of the universe. More…
The Grandfather and the Python
On the surface, this story by Ruskin Bond is a light-hearted tale about a vain python that falls in love with its own reflection. However, like Bond’s A Tiger in the House, the story raises serious questions about the capture and confinement of wild animals. Rather than being in “love”, the python is more likely confused by its reflection after being isolated from its kind for years. Moreover, if the python has no jungle survival experience, it is unlikely to live long when it finally emerges from its cage. Themes include eccentricity, fear, tolerance, vanity, (unintentional) animal cruelty. More…
Stones in My Passway, Hellhound on My Trail
This story from T. C. Boyle is a fictionalized account of the last night in the life of American blues musician Robert Johnson. Although heralded today as a master of the blues, he received little acclaim while alive and led an itinerant, poorly disciplined life. A rumour circulating at the time was that Johnson had sold his soul to the devil in exchange for musical prowess. The story suggests that it was a jilted woman, rather than a hellhound collecting the devil’s due, that brought about his demise. Themes include death, fate vs. free will, music, self-indulgence and jealousy. More…
Hands
Sherwood Anderson’s Hands was a ground-breaking story for its time. A young teacher is so traumatized by false accusations of child molestation that he flees, changes his identity, and shuts himself off from the world. He is now a frightened loner, with only one friend in the world and a nervous tic in his hands. Themes: mob “justice”, isolation and loneliness, living in fear, embracing one’s dreams. Many people, like the protagonist, express their emotions in a “touchy feely” way. Sadly, even today, such people need to be careful lest this be misinterpreted or maliciously used against them. More…
Voodoo
This story by Fredric Brown explores the use of black magic to solve a marriage problem. Mr and Mrs Decker have decided on a divorce. Love has turned to hate, and the break-up is not friendly. The biggest issue they need to agree on is the financial settlement. Mrs Decker wants half of everything; Mr Decker thinks this is too much. She knows voodoo, and tells him she could use it to kill and him and get everything if he didn’t agree. This leads to an all-or-nothing bet. Themes include hatred, divorce, greed, the supernatural. More…