This 1952 horror story by Daphne du Maurier follows a family who, along with all of Britain, come under sustained attacks by flocks of crazed birds. Seen as an analogy of the terror caused by World War Two blitz bombing and concerns about the developing Cold War, the story carries even more ominous implications for today. Consider the suggestion that climate change (shifts in the Arctic air stream) may have upset the natural order, and the death and worldwide disorder a small virus (Covid) recently caused. Themes: the vulnerability of mankind to war/natural forces, human/government complacence/ineptitiude, isolation, family, survival, self-reliance. More…
The Drowned Giant
In this story by J. G. Ballard, the body of a giant man is dehumanized because of its otherworldly size. Left to rot on a beach, it first becomes a tourist attraction and later a source of exploitation as various body parts are taken for commercial purposes or as souvenirs. The narrator, who is clearly disturbed by the disrespectful way the body is treated, perceives it as having a transcendent, Homeric quality. This begs a fascinating question: What does it take to be considered human? Themes include humanity, identity, mortality, curiosity, fear (of a potentially superior race), fame, exploitation. More…
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Set in the early 1940s, this story by Truman Capote explores the relationship between a budding writer and his downstairs neighbour, mysterious New York café society girl Holly (Holiday) Golightly. Holly lives by socializing with, and seeking a husband from among, wealthy men who take her to clubs and restaurants and give her money and expensive gifts. Unfortunately, a side hustle with a jailed mob boss forces a hasty exit from the country, after which she is not seen again. Themes include freedom, independence and privacy, sexuality, manipulation, yearning for wealth, love and happiness.
Festival of Eid / Idgah
In this well-known Indian children’s story from Premchand, a young orphan foregoes the pleasures enjoyed by friends at a festival to buy a pair of tongs to prevent his poverty-stricken grandmother from burning her hands when cooking. The most obvious themes are related to the boy: poverty, innocence, hope, love, selflessness, temptation and willpower. However, at around 5,000 words, the story also highlights several additional issues. The boy’s friends display materialism and greed, while other themes include religious devotion, superstition (Jinns), village vs. city life and, through the fate of the dolls, the fall of British colonialism. More…
The End of Something / Three-Day Blow
These two Ernest Hemingway stories should ideally be read together as they are linked by storyline (the end of a relationship) and major themes (change, friendship and moving on). The lumber town of Hortons Bay has died and its people have left because all the old-growth trees have been cut down. Like the townspeople, Nick Adams is planning a new beginning. He has decided to break up with girlfriend Marjorie, telling her “it isn’t fun anymore”. We learn the reason in the second story, which introduces additional themes of class and/or racial prejudice, selfishness, mateship and regret. More…