This story from Zhang Jie challenges the traditional (1970s) Chinese view that a woman’s duty is to marry and raise a family. The protagonist has concerns about her relationship with a seemingly “ideal” man, questioning both their feelings for one another and the poor guy’s intelligence. After reflecting on memories of growing up and insights gained from her deceased mother’s diary, she reaches the progressive conclusion that remaining single and waiting for the right man is better than a loveless marriage. Themes: social pressure, marriage, the nature of love, mother-daughter relationships, courage, Communist ideology. More…
Donkey Skin
The lessons taught by many folktales are just as important today as they were hundreds of years ago. Donkey Skin deals with sexual abuse in the form of incest between father and daughter. A powerful king wants to marry his daughter, as this is the only way he can keep a promise he made to his dying wife. Fortunately, the brave girl has other ideas. I find it interesting that the story makes it clear that the king’s actions are wrong, but seems to have no problem with a handsome prince who spies on women through key holes. More…
In the Garden
Set during the Philippine’s Marcos dictatorship, this story by Jose Dalisay Jr. takes place in the garden of an isolated one-room school. As the children tend their vegetables, a group of soldiers appears and begins to pull them out. Their orders are to take or destroy all local food sources in retaliation for the killing of one of their number. The younger children are sent home, but the oldest (a fourteen-year-old girl) is ordered to stay to “cook and do the soldier’s washing”. Bravely, the teacher insists on staying with her. Themes include innocence, oppression, intimidation, helplessness, fear, responsibility, courage. More…
Here We Aren’t, So Quickly
Many readers find this Jonathan Foer story confusing because of its unconventional style. It comprises a series of short, seemingly random recollections and observations about a couple’s past, often in the form of negative declarations. On the first read, the differences between the two people appear so vast that it is hard to see how they could remain happy together. Themes include the swift passing of time, personality growth as we age, understanding and accepting differences, and the development of a relationship from individuals (”I” and “You”) to a couple (“We”) and then a family (“We” and “He”). More…
Because My Father Always Said He Was the Only Indian Who Saw Jimi Hendrix Play ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at Woodstock
In this story by Sherman Alexie a Native-American boy recalls the good and not-so-good times before his father rode off on his motorcycle, never to return. His father led a rebellious early life, spent two years in prison, visited Woodstock, and came home a heavy drinker. The relationship between his parents was volatile, alternating between alcohol induced arguments and lovemaking. The boy’s father had difficulty opening up and music, especially the titular song, was an important catalyst for communication between them. Themes include father-son relationships, war (in all contexts), alcoholism, marriage breakdown, abandonment, memory, the power of music. More…