Set shortly after the American Civil War, this story from Charles W. Chesnutt is about a “Northerner” with an interest in grape cultivation who moves to the South for his wife’s health. While inspecting a derelict vineyard, they meet a “colored man” who tells how the previous owner had a sorceress put a spell (goopher) on the grapes to stop them being stolen. He then describes the sad fate of a newly acquired slave who, unaware of the spell, “sampled” the grapes. Themes: racism and slavery, the supernatural, greed, exploitation, dishonesty, trickery, karma. More…
The Enchanted Buffalo
Contrary to the title, this story by L Frank Baum is about events that took place in a herd of American bison, not buffalos. With help from Pagshat, the “Evil Genius of the Prairies”, a treacherous bull kills his herd’s aging and much loved king. After defeating four challengers for the position, he is declared the new leader. His only remaining threat is the young son of the old king who, with more help from Pagshat, he plans to eliminate before he reaches maturity. Themes include aging, greed, betrayal, magic/the supernatural. More…
The Memsahib of Mandla
In this story by Khushwant Singh, nature and the ghost of a woman who founded an Indian missionary school combine to drive a British man and his family from a forest officer’s rest house. The rest house was the woman’s home before it was appropriated by the government, and hasn’t been lived in since she died. In addition to being insensitive and chauvinistic, the husband typifies the stereotype of arrogant, self-serving British officials during the Raj. He decides to shoot the ghost, but things don’t turn out as planned. Themes include colonialism, humanitarianism, loyalty, fear, justice, the supernatural. More…
I Could See the Smallest Things
The title of this story by Raymond Carver is somewhat ironic. When protagonist Nancy looks out her bedroom window, she can see the smallest of things. What she can’t see or won’t acknowledge are the big things in her life that need attention. Concern about her open gate and multiple references to fences symbolize three important themes: insecurity, alienation, and fear of the outside world and/or change. Neighbor Sam’s garden pests represent another: inertia (sluggishness). Sam has moved on from his problems in life; Nancy and husband Cliff have not. Other themes: alcohol abuse, regret, emptiness and lack of fulfilment. More…
The Adulterous Woman
The adultery in this story from Albert Camus is not of the sexual kind. For the married protagonist, the vast expanse of the Algerian desert puts into perspective something she already knew but had refused to face. Although she has a caring and possibly still loving husband, married life has become mundane and, through lack of communication, lonely. With both existentialist and feminist undertones, her epiphany on the rampart provides a brief escape from misery and the realization that life could offer so much more. Themes: lack of fulfillment, loneliness, natural splendor, freedom, finding meaning and purpose in life. More…