Featured Stories

The Conversion of the Jews

The Conversion of the Jews: Short story by Philip RothThe message of this satirical story by Philip Roth is applicable to all religions: the need to guard against zealotry. A teenaged Jewish boy is disciplined for suggesting that God could impregnate a woman without intercourse. He wasn’t questioning the Jewish belief that Jesus was a man, but rather asserting the power of God to do so. After being slapped for questioning his rabbi’s knowledge of God, the boy flees to the synagogue roof and finds a creative way to force the whole community to acknowledge his point of view. Themes include bigotry vs. tolerance, irreverence, search for truth, hypocrisy.

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The Near Departed

The Near Departed: Short story by Richard MathesonIn this story by Richard Matheson, a man hides a sinister secret as he visits a mortician to arrange an elaborate funeral for his wife. He emphasises that cost is unimportant. “There’ll be many people,” he says. “Everybody loved her. She’s so beautiful. So young. She has to have the very best.” The mortician reassures him that he will be more than satisfied and, after completing the necessary paperwork, says his people will collect the body within the hour. As they part, the mortician asks the man a question which he pretends not to hear. Themes include marriage, death, dissimulation.

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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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Poovan Pazham

Poovan Pazham Short story by Vaikam Muhammad BasheerSometimes famous stories of the past, like this one by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, solve problems in ways that would not be acceptable today. A mismatched couple (an uneducated “town rowdy” and university-educated, “fashionable lady”) begin their marriage at odds with one another. Frustrated by trying to change her husband into her idea of a gentleman, the haughty wife is constantly nagging and ill-tempered. The man calmly puts up with this until a quest to find poovan pazham (dessert bananas) proves too much. Themes include non-traditional marriage, social expectations vs. personal freedom, marital quest, gratitude, “education”, guilt, love, nostalgia.

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All the Years of Her Life

All the Years of Her Life: Short story by Morley CallaghanThe major theme of this coming of age story by Morley Callaghan is motherly love and devotion. Six months into a job at a drugstore the protagonist, seemingly in his late teens, is caught pilfering goods. Rather than call the police immediately, the proprietor contacts his mother who rushes to the store and convinces the owner not to press charges. The wayward boy’s attitude to life changes when he sees the contrast between his mother’s calm, dignified manner at the drugstore and the trembling, nervous wreck she becomes at home. Other themes include petty crime, shame, empathy, guilt, personal growth.

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The Wedding Reception

The Wedding Reception: Short story by Nyi Pu LayMajor themes of this story by Nyi Pu Lay are tradition (realistically portraying aspects of a working-class Mandalay wedding), and caring and respect for the aged at both a family and community level. The groom’s father is seriously ill and his son, his new wife, and others (including the grumpy owner of the only TV in the neighborhood) go to great lengths to ensure that he has an enjoyable day. Other themes include family, friendship, community, and the wonder of adults and children alike experiencing “modern” technology for the first time (in this case a car ride and watching TV).

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There Will Come Soft Rains

There Will Come Soft Rains: Short story by Ray BradburyThis science-fiction story from Ray Bradbury chronicles the last day in the ‘life’ of an automated house that has survived nuclear war. Although the house’s inhabitants are dead, represented by shadows on the outside walls, it has continued its daily cycle of programmed activity. Major themes are the danger of nuclear war, and the consequences of taking technology too far. In replacing almost all human tasks in their daily life, the householders were dependent on technology. Ironically, that same technology built the bombs that destroyed them. Other themes include death (the dog, house and humankind), nature (the only survivor), dystopia.

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The Homemaker / Gharwali

The Homemaker / Gharwali: Short story by Ismat ChughtaiIn 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”.

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