This acclaimed but rather disturbing story from Graham Greene is set in the aftermath of World War 2. A group of boys known as the Wormsley Common Gang meet daily to plan acts of mischief around London. A new member successfully challenges the leader and, in suggesting the destruction of an old man’s stately two-hundred-year-old house, elevates their mischief from harmless fun to wanton vandalism and cruelty. The major theme of the story is class (rebellion against the pre-war materialistic social order, as symbolized by the house). Other themes: innocence, the quest for and misuse of power, cruelty. More…
This Is Earle Sandt
This Robert Olen Butler story is loosely based on the death of American aviator Earle Sandt. A small town banker attends an aerial exhibition with his young son. It is the first time either has seen an aeroplane, and they witness the crash that killed the pioneer pilot. Both are traumatised. The boy recovers quickly, but not so the banker whose ordered world and religious faith have been shaken. He begins to identify with Sandt, asking: Did I sense a God all about me in the sky?, and answering: Forgive me, no. Themes include progress/change, mortality, faith, despair, identity. More…
The Homemaker / Gharwali
In this story by Ismat Chughtai, an orphan growing up on the streets learns that her body is her only asset. Alluring and without shame, she is known for providing sex for money, on credit, or as charity. Things change when a friend suggests that a respectable shopkeeper employ her as a housemaid. He refuses because of her reputation, but she is so taken by what she sees after visiting his house that she stays despite his protests and takes over the household. Themes include promiscuity, reputation, hypocrisy, desire, marriage, patriarchy, jealousy, the importance of “belonging”. More…
The Difference
A more apt title for this story by Ellen Glasgow would be The Differences. It explores differences in attitudes to love, marriage and infidelity between men and women, and between women born in the Victorian era and those born in the early 1900s. A middle-aged woman’s calm existence is shattered when she receives a letter from the much younger mistress of her husband of twenty years. She meets the woman, confronts her husband, and initiates a discussion about who loves whom and what is to be done about it. Themes include gender roles, love and adultery, the generation gap, sacrifice. More…
The Treasure of Abbot Thomas
In this story by M. R. James, a British antiquary comes across an old book written in Latin that tells of a German monastery in which a fortune in gold is believed to have been hidden. He believes the key to the treasure lies on a stained-glass window removed from the Abby and returned to England when the monastery was closed. He finds the window, decodes the message hidden on it and, despite the warning contained in the message, finds the gold. His only problem… dealing with the treasure’s monstrous guardian. Themes include treasure hunting, cryptography, fear, the supernatural. More…