In this story by Hernando Téllez, a barber who secretly supports a revolutionary cause has a dilemma when an army captain who is particularly brutal in putting down the revolt asks for a shave. As the officer sits in the chair, the barber is torn between his professional duty (to give his customer the best possible shave), his revolutionary duty (to kill the captain, which will make him a hero but potentially force him to hide for the rest of his life), and moral qualms about murder. Themes include power and control, choices and consequences, violence, professionalism, duty, morality, trust. More…
In the Cemetery Where Al Jolson Is Buried
Given the subject matter (a woman having difficulty coming to grips with a friend’s terminal illness), one would expect this Amy Hempel story to be a maudlin tale. However, the author’s minimalist style, interspersed with quirky humor, lightens the mood considerably without losing emotional impact. The major theme of the story is fear of death. This leads to avoidance. The protagonist visits her friend only once during her months in hospital. The two evade serious conversation, speaking almost exclusively about trivia and, instead of staying the night as expected, the friend hastens away. Other themes: friendship, abandonment, guilt, grief. More…
The Station
In this story by H. E. Bates, a stop at an all-night café run by an attractive young woman has a disturbing effect on an eighteen-year-old truck driver’s assistant. The young man is new to the job, and driver had warned him that he shouldn’t take any special attention by woman the wrong way: She won’t have it. She’s nice to (all) the chaps because it’s business, that’s all.. Despite this, the assistant is spellbound by the woman. She senses this and flirts a little, raising sexual tension in the naïve young man. Themes include innocence, female sexuality, desire. More…
Great Day
David Malouf’s Great Day takes place over the seventy-second birthday celebration for the patriarch of a large, close-knit Australian family. The story explores some of the differences and tensions between family members, as well as the state of mind of the patriarch. A powerful retired senior public servant with a commanding personality, he is consumed by thoughts of death. Two linked events, the destruction of a family museum and the subsequent moving words of a usually shy, tongue-tied family member bring a sense of peace to the old man and unification to the family. Themes: power, loss, dreams, connection, unification. More…
Some Families, Very Large
Central themes of this “Christmas Offering” by Jose Dalisay Jr. are the unconditional love and acceptance of obvious flaws that young children exhibit for their parents, and the bitterness of grief when there is no one with whom to share it. It is Christmas, but nine-year-old Sammy’s con-man father is more interested in gambling than celebrating it with him. Later a grieving mother, desperate for company, welcomes them both into her “family”. The Christmas message of the story (hope!) comes as the three close their eyes and imagine a better life. Other themes include childhood innocence, poverty, loss, responsibility. More…