In this story from Muriel Spark, a group of friends watch home movie footage of protagonist Sybil’s life in Africa as she recalls memories of the time. Her observations highlight the difference between the vain way the characters in the films see themselves (or want to be seen) and their true personalities. Sybil was an intellectual but weak-willed girl/young woman who allowed herself to be dominated by others. In a favorite childhood game, the words “bang-bang you’re dead” always led to submission. Later in life, gunshots became “freeing” events. Themes: class, isolation, dominance and submission, false opinions vs. unpleasant truths. More…
The Things They Carried
The strength of this Vietnam War memoir by Tim O’Brien is the matter-of-fact way the life of the soldiers (“grunts”) is portrayed. Although the military and survival equipment carried by the men is listed, the major theme of the story is the emotional burdens they carried – both those the men brought to the war, and those they took on during its course. First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross learns an important lesson: in order to do your duty and survive the war, you need to find a way to let go of these. Other themes: war, love, individual and collective responsibility. More…
A Father-To-Be
In this playful story by Saul Bellow, a successful scientist in an illuminated state of mind makes his way to have dinner with his fiancée. As he contemplates fellow passengers on the subway, he is shocked to notice the resemblance between his future wife and the “flat-looking dandy of respectability” sitting next to him. He begins to wonder what her children will look like, and is so disturbed by the thought he decides to end the relationship. Fortunately, her soothing hands erase the memory. Themes include “duty”, financial stress, pride, self-discovery, appearance, heredity, self-delusion, submissiveness. More…
Drifting House
This confronting story by Krys Lee opens in a remote North Korean village created for those the government called the “wavering or hostile class”. Government food rations have been cut off and two starving, malnourished boys abandoned by their mother struggle across a snow-covered mountain to try to join her in China. The older boy carries their dying infant sister. Unable to carry her any further, he humanely ends her suffering. Despite their dire circumstances, he reveres his country’s “Dear Leader”, and expresses hatred for the American imperialists said to be responsible. Themes include family, abandonment, hunger, despair, guilt, indoctrination. More…
Bartleby the Scrivener: A Tale of Wall Street
Herman Melville’s Bartleby the Scrivener is regarded as a classic of Modern Literature. A major theme is the depression that comes with being alone in the world and lacking a purpose in life. Other themes include exploitation, insensitivity and guilt (the Lawyer), conformity and coping with boring, repetitive work (Turkey and Nipper), alienation, apathy and passive resistance to one’s responsibilities (Bartleby), and loss of hope and the inevitability of death (symbolized by the Dead Letter Office). The Lawyer’s final words, Ah, Bartleby! Ah, humanity!, reflect the irony of Bartleby finding himself in the two worst possible jobs for his disposition. More…