The Lagoon

The Lagoon: Short story by Joseph ConradThe major message of this acclaimed story from Joseph Conrad is that you can’t escape reality: there is no place where death is forgotten — where death is unknown. Arsat, a powerful warrior, risks all for the love of a royal slave girl. While making their escape, he abandons his devoted brother as he is being attacked by pursuers. Some time later, the woman dies of fever in their lagoon-side jungle hideaway. Experiencing remorse over both deaths, he decides that the only path to redemption is (some would say unjustified) retribution. Themes: brotherly love, romantic obsession, courage, betrayal, guilt, isolation, death.

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Moths in the Arc Light

Moths in the Arc Light: Short story by Sinclair LewisIn this story by Sinclair Lewis, a successful 1920s businessman becomes infatuated with a secretary he sees from his twelfth story window working in an office across the street. Over time they come to exchange greetings and communicate daily through their windows. When they finally meet, she is not the simple secretary he had expected. She is as driven by corporate success as he is. He finds her a job with better prospects and is surprised when, several months later, she calls him with a request to urgently meet. Themes include infatuation, chauvinism, misogyny, gender stereotypes, ambition, loneliness, depression, sexuality.

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Zita

Zita: Short story by Arturo B. RotorThere are two Zitas in this romantic coming of age story by Arturo B Rotor. The first is the woman who caused a broken-hearted young man to seek solace teaching on Anayat, an off-the-grid Philippine island of broken cliffs and coconut palms; the second, an adolescent Anayat schoolgirl who he agrees to teach how “to be a lady”. As sometimes happens, schoolgirl Zita develops a crush on the teacher. When he leaves in the hope of reconciling with his former love, she comes to understand something he once told her. Themes: unrequited love, alienation, depression, teenage infatuation.

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Winter Dreams

Winter Dreams: Short story by F. Scott FitzgeraldThe protagonist in this F. Scott Fitzgerald story has two dreams (three if you count defeating Mr. Hedrick at golf!) The first is the Great American Dream (to become wealthy despite humble beginnings), which he achieves. The second is to win the heart of the seemingly heartless Miss Judy Jones, which proves unachievable. He is a typical Fitzgerald male: driven, successful and passionate about marrying (possessing) Judy where others have failed. Spoiled Judy is a tragic figure: take away the thrill of being chased, and there is little left. Themes include social class, ambition, success, romance, hollowness, failure, disillusionment.

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Parallel Universes

Parallel Universes: Short story by Gary SotoThe title of this Etgar Keret story describes his writing, which takes readers on humorous, often shocking journeys to worlds so absurd they could only exist outside our own. Keret developed a special interest in parallel universe theory when told that thinking about them helped his father get through the privations of Jewish persecution in World War 2 Europe. Although Parallel Universes fits the Keret mould in terms of the absurd contrasts between the described worlds, it is also a poignant love story that ends: I enjoy knowing there’s one place … where I’m falling asleep happy.

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The Price of Eggs in China

The Price of Eggs in China: Short story by Don LeeMajor themes of this story by Don Lee are love, art and rivalry. Set in California, a Japanese-American furniture artisan is caught-up in rivalry between his girlfriend and a female customer. Both women are poets. Although once good friends, they fell-out after their first books got very different reviews. The girlfriend, whose work was rated poorly, believes the other woman is trying to ruin her life. Things take a dark turn when she reports receiving threatening phone calls. Readers are left wondering whether these are real, or contrived to destroy her rival. Other themes include self-image, insecurity, paranoia, and sacrifice.

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The Gift of the Magi

Gift of the Magi: Short story by O. HenryHave you ever thought long and hard about what would be the prefect Christmas gift for someone you love? This story by O. Henry is one of the most famous Christmas stories of all time. It tells how a poor couple each sell their most valuable possession in order to buy a Christmas present that they feel is good enough for the one they love. The irony is that neither can use the precious gift the other has bought them. Themes (see analysis) include love, sacrifice, wisdom, beauty, generosity, and value.

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The Sun, the Moon, the Stars

The Sun, the Moon, the Stars: Short story by Junot DíazThis story by Junot Díaz examines transnational relationships between young Hispanic Americans. It focuses on the doomed love affair between a Dominican-American man and his long-suffering Cuban girlfriend and, in doing so, the pressures they face from family and friends. It contrasts the woman’s desire for true love and commitment with the man’s unsuccessful attempts to shake off the stereotype of Latino machismo. The man maintains he is not a bad guy, but doesn’t seem to understand how to treat a woman with consideration and respect. Themes include responsibility in relationships, infidelity, self-deception, national pride, socioeconomic differences.

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