The Artist / Painter

The Artist / Painter: Short story by Rabindranath TagoreWith over 100 to choose from, it was hard to decide where to start with the short stories of Bengali writer Rabindranath Tagore. In recognition of his mastery of so many fields, we have chosen this lesser-known story written in 1929. This was a year after Tagore took up painting (at age sixty-seven!) and went on to re-shape the Indian art world. The themes of the story reflect Tagore’s life: embrace your passions, and don’t let the criticism of others (such as the ‘connoisseurs’ who laughed at Rangalal) or worship of money (as demonstrated by Govinda) stand in your way.

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Broken Chain

Broken Chain: Short story by Gary SotoThe major lesson of this story from Gary Soto is that what someone is like on the inside is more important than his or her looks. An insecure seventh-grader is obsessed with his appearance (teeth, V-cut abs, hairstyle and clothes). His outlook on relationships changes when an act of kindness results in a bike-riding “date” with a girl. When his bicycle chain breaks, it looks like the date will be a disaster. Fortunately, his older brother comes to the rescue and the boy experiences his first touch of “love”. Themes: identity vs. appearance, sibling rivalry (jealousy) / brotherly love, courage.

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Don’t Cry

Don't Cry: Short story by Mary GaitskillIn this moving story by Mary Gaitskill, a grief and guilt stricken woman accompanies a friend to adopt a child in Ethiopia. Because the friend had chosen to adopt independently rather than through an agency, they are initially stonewalled by bureaucrats and find official orphanages closed to them. They gain the necessary approvals after a poverty-stricken mother unselfishly gives up her malnourished two-year-old son, only to find themselves temporarily caught up in a violent civil uprising. The protagonist gains almost as much from the trip as her friend. Themes include love, grief, betrayal, healing, sexuality, determination, poverty, violence.

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The Death of Ivan Ilyich

The Death of Ivan Ilyich: Short story by Leo TolstoyThe major themes of this famous novella by Leo Tolstoy are the inevitability of death and the shallowness of Russia’s bourgeoisie. As Ivan Ilyich, a successful civil servant, faces an early, agonizing death he asks himself the inevitable question: How could that be, when I did everything [in life] properly? By bourgeoisie standards, his assessment is correct. However, by general social standards Ivan’s superficial, self-centered life lacked compassion, genuine connection, and spiritual meaning. As Ivan’s suffering strips away his delusions, he finds joy and redemption in death. Other themes: appearance and materialism, suffering, denial, isolation, acceptance and redemption.

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African Passions

African Passions: Short story by Beatriz RiveraThis Beatriz Rivera story blends a serious tale about the end of a dysfunctional relationship with the humorous antics of eight Santería gods. The unfortunate woman in the fourteen-year co-habitation is feeling frisky but being ignored. She invokes the gods with the words I want pleasure! And I want it right away!. Later, after her cowardly partner ends things as they drive around trying to bury a cat the gods threw out their ninth story window, she prays: African Powers … help me get over this man! Themes: love, innocence, spirituality, passivity, moving on (Teresa); social class, exploitation, deceit (Armando).

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Overcoat

Overcoat: Short story by Ghulam AbbasThe major theme of this story by Ghulam Abbas is how people judge others by their appearance. A clearly impoverished man uses an overcoat, scarf and cane to create the persona of a well-to-do dandy. He enjoys a leisurely stroll through the streets of Lahore, and is welcomed in shops he could not otherwise enter. Importantly, the reader is also taken in by the guise until it is stripped away as his clothes are removed in hospital. Other themes include loneliness, social class, the human desire to “fit in” and be treated with respect, the unpredictability of life and death.

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Diamond Cuts Diamond

Diamond Cuts Diamond: Indian folktale from Andrew LangIn this Indian folktale, a man travels to a distant land to seek his fortune. He succeeds and decides to convert his riches to jewels and return home. As he nears home, a ‘friendly’ merchant warns him that there are robbers on the road ahead. The traveler leaves his jewels in the care of the merchant. He then travels home to hire men to help him get the jewels through safely. On his return, the merchant tries to cheat him. To get the jewels back, the traveler needs help from someone who is even better at cheating than the merchant.

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My Name / Geraldo No Last Name

My Name / Geraldo No Last Name: Short story by Sandra CisnerosWhat’s in a name? These two vignettes from Sandra Cisneros answer the question from different viewpoints. The narrator is unhappy with the anglicized spelling of her name (Esperanza) but proud of what it symbolizes — the strength of her great-grandmother who defied the Mexican stereotype of women being weak and subservient to their men. It provides a link to her heritage. Neighbor Geraldo, who illegally entered the USA for a better life, has no official name or identity. One moment, full of life and promise at a dance club. The next, dead with nobody to care or mourn his passing.

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The Answer is No

The Answer is No: Short story by Naguib MahfouzThis story explores the dilemma of a teacher who, having been raped by a trusted tutor at fourteen years of age, must face the attacker again as her school’s new headmaster. She refuses to cower before the man, and manages to maintain her dignity and self-respect through two encounters. Naguib Mahfouz is one of the few Islamic writers with the reputation to be able to not only successfully take on such a confronting issue, but also present it from an openly feminist perspective. Themes: abuse of trust, sexual assault, strength of character, courage, empowerment.

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The Slump

The Slump: Short story by John UpdikeIn this story by John Updike, a professional baseball player tries to analyze why he is no longer hitting the ball as well as he used to. He was recruited for his batting, and is worried about losing his position on the team. He identifies that the problem is psychological (in the batting cage I own the place) and concludes that he has lost his passion for the game because it has no meaning for him anymore. Themes include self-knowledge, pressure to succeed (dread), liberation, the fleeting nature of fame, frustration, futility, shame, existentialism.

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