Set in the mid-1990s, this story by Bessie Head explores two aspects of a Botswanan wedding. The first is the rituals observed at the event and how, as a “modern wedding”, a lot of the traditional courtesies had been left out of the planning. The second is the circumstances leading up to the wedding, with the author seemingly inviting readers to judge whether the groom, who is rich in cattle and loved and respected by all who knew him, made the right choice for a bride. Themes: tradition vs. modernity, marriage, education, hubris vs. humility, money and status vs. love. More…
The Last Class / Lesson
Alphonse Daudet’s The Last Class (aka The Last lesson) looks at the disheartened reactions of Alsatian villagers, children and their teacher to the decision that the French language can no longer be taught at their school. Their part of France (Alsace and Lorraine) has become part of Germany following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, and the Berlin government has ordered that only German can be taught in the school. Themes include language as part of identity, cultural subjugation, the value of education, regret (not only for the changes, but also missed opportunities in learning and teaching), patriotism and community spirit. More…
Markheim
The central themes of this Robert Louis Stevenson classic are self-awareness and the nature of good and evil. Markheim, a hitherto petty thief, “steps up” in the criminal world by murdering an antique dealer. It is Christmas day, the dealer’s shop is closed, and his maid has gone out. As Markheim searches the house looking for money, a mysterious stranger appears. Believing him to be the Devil, Markheim must choose between accepting the stranger’s offer of help and killing the returning maid, or paying the supreme price for his crime. Other themes: poverty, crime and punishment, death, redemption, the supernatural. More…
Jaycee
Frederic Brown is well known for the irreverence of some of his stories, but this one takes the cake. Scientists have discovered a way for women to asexually reproduce, allowing those who are single or have a sterile husband to have a family without the need for a sperm donation. Fifty million such children now exist, all of whom are males. The oldest has just reached puberty, and has started to exhibit behavior similar to the only previous virgin birth, which took place over 2,000 years ago. Themes include scientific hubris, the dangers of technology, unexpected consequences. More…
They’re Made Out Of Meat
At first read, this very short story by Terry Bisson appears to be a humorous exchange with little substance. Two alien space explorers are discussing whether to make contact with a newly discovered intelligent life form. They are uneasy about it because the life form seems to be composed entirely of meat. The major theme of the story is prejudice: the aliens consider themselves above all other life. How can beings so different to them be capable of such advanced thought? Also, an interesting dietary theme: Is it right that one sentient life form (man) kills and eats others (animals)? More…