Featured Stories

Jeeves Takes Charge

Jeeves Takes Charge: Short story by P. G. WodehouseThis story is from Carry on Jeeves, the third of seventeen “Jeeves books” by P. G. Wodehouse. Its significance is that we learn how Bertie Wooster, a likeable but hapless upper-class layabout living off family money, came across and learned to depend upon his wonder valet Jeeves. In his first forty-eight hours on the job, Jeeves saves Bertie from losing his inheritance, and helps him avoid what would have been an even worse fate – marriage to Florence, his dominating, snobby fiancé. Themes include engagement and marriage, social class and wealth, scandal, master-servant relationships.

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A Mild Attack of Locusts

A Mild Attack of Locusts: Short story by Doris LessingDoris Lessing’s story about a British farming family in post-World War 2 Africa contrasts the richness and beauty of the land with the destructive power of nature. The threat this time is a swarm of locusts. They have already leveled the crops and moved on, but an even greater threat lies ahead. The major theme is survival… for the locust swarm, through instinct and sheer weight of numbers; for the farmers, through planning, preparation, manpower and, when these fail, being prepared to start over. Other themes include helplessness, devastation, the ongoing cycles of struggle against nature, perseverance.

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The Green Leaves

The Green Leaves: Short story by Grace OgotThis story from Grace Ogot reads like a folktale. With an overall theme of culture conflict between the modern world and the traditions and beliefs of a Kenyan tribe, the plot can be divided into three sections. The first (ending with Nyagar’s death) has themes of crime, tribal justice, violence, superstition and greed. The second, involving the British authorities, emphasizes colonial arrogance and cultural insensitivity. The third, in which Nyagar’s wife laments his death, introduces a feminist theme. Her chant reflects not only her own loss, but also the powerlessness and complete dependence of all village women on their husbands.

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Victory

Victory: Short story by Vasily AksyonovThe enigmatic nature of this Vasily Aksyonov story about a casual chess game between a Russian grandmaster and a chance acquaintance stems from its interwoven motifs. Allegorically, the game represents a battle between the intelligentsia (the well-travelled, Dior-wearing grandmaster) and the common people (the brutish stranger). Additionally, as the game progresses the narration is interlaced with temporal shifts where the grandmaster experiences grim visions of desolation, hiding, escape and death. As he is about to be executed in the last vision, his opponent shouts “checkmate”. Themes include Western influence on Russian culture, class struggle, memories, insecurity, fear, ‘victory’ in survival.

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The Minister’s Black Veil

The Minister's Black Veil: Short story by Nathaniel HawthorneIn this Nathaniel Hawthorne story, a church minister frightens and intrigues parishioners by spending most of his life hiding his face behind a black veil. themes include uncertainty (Why the veil?), alienation and loneliness, hidden sins (for which the veil may be a symbol), moral superiority, guilt, fear, and death. Most readers consider the story from the parishioner’s side. However, it is interesting to contemplate how dark the world must look to the minister. Is the veil the equivalent of the dream by a character in another Hawthorne story (Young Goodman Brown): a reminder of the evil in every man?

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Between Earth and Sky

Between Earth and Sky: Short story by Patricia GraceIn this story by Patricia Grace, an indigenous New Zealand farmer’s wife describes the day’s events to her newborn baby. She begins by telling him how free and alive she felt upon waking that morning, and about her family’s chaotic farewell as they dropped her off at the hospital. She then describes her friendly banter with the nursing staff (she knows them well as this is the eighth baby she has had there!), and concludes with quiet time after the delivery bonding with and talking affectionately to the child. Themes include procreation, nurturing, motherhood, envy/resentment, struggle, contentment.

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Teacher Tamer

Teacher Tamer: Short story by Edward Wortis (aka Avi)Edward Wortis (aka Avi)’s Teacher Tamer is a coming of age story about unfairness, revenge, peer pressure, compassion and courage. A burnt-out fifth grade teacher regularly punishes the most promising student in class for things he did not do. In a moment of anger, the boy plots revenge and boasts about it to classmates. Although the class bully questions his courage, others say that if he succeeds he will become the class hero. He feels pressured into going ahead. The plan ends in failure, but by the end of the story he is hailed by the nickname Teacher Tamer.

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Skin

Skin: Short story by Roald DahlThe most frequently used adjective in describing this story by Roald Dahl is macabre. A former tattooist, who once had a struggling artist friend tattoo a picture of his wife on his back, has fallen on hard times. Destitute and too old to work, he comes across an exclusive gallery featuring an exhibition of his now famous friend’s work. He learns that his tattoo is now worth a small fortune, and is tempted by two offers to capitalize on its value. Themes include artistic struggle and appreciation, poverty, desperation, objectification, greed, temptation, deception.

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