The “astrologer” in this story by R. K. Narayan is a fake, making a living by knowing enough about human nature to trick people into believing he has mystical powers. One day, he bargains with a reluctant passer-by to answer a question for many times his usual fee. He tries to cancel the reading immediately the passer-by sits down, but the man forcibly insists he continues. Although a deliberate lie, his answer not only eases the tormented man’s mind, but also brings in peace and redemption to himself. Themes include deception, fate, crime and punishment, revenge, redemption, spirituality, greed. More…
The All-American Slurp
The major themes of this story by Lensey Namioka are: 1) the innate desire of most people (especially the young) to “fit in” with the community in which they find themselves; and 2) the need to understand and accept cultural differences when they appear. Said to be based on real experiences from the author’s early life in America, the story makes these points in a light-hearted way. Its main message is expressed cryptically in the very last line: All Americans slurp. This suggests that if we put aside cultural differences, we are all the same inside. More…
Bright and Morning Star
This is the final story in Richard Wright’s hard-hitting collection Uncle Tom’s Children. Set in the American South during the 1920s, a proud African-American woman and her two sons have embraced communism in the hope of overcoming entrenched inequity and persecution. Both sons are organizers of the local communist cell. One son is already in prison and, when the woman and other son refuse to reveal the names of fellow cell members, the town sheriff and a white mob resort to deception, brutality, torture and murder. Themes: racism, racial and political violence, communism, loyalty & betrayal, motherly love, martyrdom. More…
The Doctor’s Word
In this story by R. K. Narayan, a doctor renowned for telling patients the truth, even if the news is bad, faces a dilemma. A seriously ill close friend asks for a prognosis, saying that if he is dying he must finalize his will to protect his wife and children. The doctor doesn’t think he will survive the night, and is concerned that the shock of hearing this will kill him. He must choose between telling the truth, or lying to give is friend hope and a small chance of survival. Themes include truthfulness, friendship, faith, hope, choices and consequences. More…
The Model Millionaire
Through humor and irony, this story by Oscar Wilde shows how an act of kindness can sometimes change one’s life. Handsome, well-spoken and adored by everyone who knows him, Hughie Erskine can’t seem to make a success of life. To marry the woman he loves, he needs to show her father that he has the impossible amount (for him) of £10,000 to his name. A chance visit to an artist friend and the generous gift of his last sovereign to a beggar he was painting solves his problem. Themes include appearance vs. reality, compassion and kindness, selflessness, generosity, karma. More…