Introduction of Everyday Use “Everyday Use” was released in 1973 as part of Alice Walker’s collection of short tales, In Love and Trouble: Tales of Black Women. Since its first inception, the story has gained immense popularity and is frequently taught in high school and college literature programs. The story follows a mother and her […]
Category: Short Story
Analysis of “Araby” by James Joyce
Summary of “Araby” “Araby” is a short story by James Joyce, initially published in his collection of short stories “Dubliners” in 1914. The story is set in Dublin, Ireland, in the late 19th century and is narrated by a young boy who lives with his aunt and uncle in a small house on the street […]
“Signs and Symbols” by Vladimir Nabokov
Summary of “Signs and Symbols” Vladimir Nabokov’s short story “Signs and Symbols” revolves around a couple’s attempt to visit their son in a mental institution on his birthday. The story is narrated in a detached, clinical manner, reflecting the emotional distance between the family members. The son, who is never named, suffers from a severe […]
Analysis of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce
Summary of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” First published in 1890, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce is a gripping tale of a man’s final moments. The story is set during the American Civil War, and the protagonist, Peyton Farquhar, is a plantation owner and Confederate sympathizer who is about to […]
Analysis of “The Monkey’s Paw” by W.W. Jacobs
Summary of “The Monkey’s Paw” “The Monkey’s Paw” is a suspenseful and chilling short story written by W.W. Jacobs in 1902. The story follows the White family, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. White and their son Herbert, who receive a mysterious and mystical monkey’s paw from a friend, Sergeant-Major Morris, who served in India. Sergeant-Major […]
Analysis of “The Dead” by James Joyce
Summary of “The Dead” by James Joyce “The Dead” is a marvelous short story by James Joyce, a phenomenal Irish writer and poet. The story explores themes of mortality, love, and identity. Set in Dublin, Ireland, the story takes place during a Christmas party attended by Gabriel Conroy and his wife, Gretta. The narrative follows […]
Analysis of “To Build a Fire” by Jack London
Summary of “To Build a Fire” “To Build a Fire” is a short story by Jack London, a prominent American Writer, and poet. First published in 1908, the story follows the journey of an unnamed man through the harsh and unforgiving wilderness of the Yukon Territory during the Klondike Gold Rush. The man, traveling alone, […]
Analysis of “Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin
Summary of “Desiree’s Baby” Written in the 19th century, Kate Chopin’s “Desiree’s Baby” is a poignant tale that explores the complicated themes of race, identity, and prejudice in late 19th-century Louisiana. The story revolves around Desiree, a young woman abandoned as a baby and raised by Madame Valmonde. When Desiree grows up, she falls in […]
Analysis of “The Rocking Horse Winner” By D.H. Lawrence
Summary of “The Rocking Horse Winner” “The Rocking Horse Winner” by D.H. Lawrence is a short story about a young boy named Paul who lives with his mother and father in a luxurious home in England. Despite their wealth, Paul’s family is plagued by unhappiness and dissatisfaction, rooted in his mother’s constant need for more […]
Analysis of “The Lady with the Dog” by Anton Chekhov
Summary of “The Lady with the Dog” “The Lady with the Dog” is a short story penned by Anton Chekhov in 1899. The story is about a man named Dmitry Gurov and a woman named Anna Sergeyevna who embark on a passionate affair, despite the societal conventions that prohibit their love. Dmitry is a middle-aged […]