Short Stories

 

Characteristics:

·       Read in 1 sitting; effect achieved by reading w/o stopping

·       Cover different time spans: 

Hours (“Salvation”); Years (“Sleeping Beauty”)

·       Involve a conflict/struggle: “Salvation”?  “Samuel”?

1.    man against man (individual or society) 

2.    man against nature

3.    man against self

·       Have a specific message regarding the human condition that applies to everyone, not just the characters:  THEME

 

THEME:  A specific message about a phenomenon with which we are all familiar (i.e. loneliness; guilt).  The message applies to everyone, not just the characters in the story.

 

Example:

Phenomenon:  Peer Pressure (NOT a message yet)

Theme:  Succumbing to peer pressure brings about loss.

 

*Everything in the story contributes to the theme

*Shows message (never stated; illustrated)

(not told: stand up to pressure; think before we act)

 

All short stories share basic elements.  Exploring these will heighten understanding of the stories so you can analyze them:

·       Plot (with conflict, foreshadowing & irony)

·       Characterization (w/ protagonist/antagonist & tragic flaw)

·       Setting

·       Symbolism

·       Point of View

·       Theme=Phenomenon + Specific Message