Writer: Lu Xun (1881-1936), a Chinese writer Characters: Lu Xun Lu Xun’s mother Runtu Second Sister Yang (the Beancurd Beauty) Honger (Xun’s nephew), and Shuisheng (Runtu’s son) Theme: conflict between memories/expectations and realities Summary: The autobiographical story “My Old Home” by a Chinese writer, Lu Xun, depicts the conflict between memories or expectations and realities.... Continue Reading →
The Oval Portrait
The Oval Portrait is a short horror story written by Edgar Allan Poe, an American writer (1809-1849). In the story, an artist wants to make a portrait of his young wife, but becomes so obsessed with his work that he doesn’t realize his wife is dying meanwhile. The story features the relationship between art and... Continue Reading →
A Devoted Son
Genre: Short story Writer: Anita Desai, an Indian female novelist and short story writer Theme: Parents’ cherishing of their ambition towards their children and a son’s duty towards his parents in Indian context Characters: 1. Rakesh 2. Varma, Rakesh’s father 3. Rakesh’s mother 4. Veena, Rakesh’s wife 5. Bhatia, Varma’s next door neighbor Summary and... Continue Reading →
The Selfish Giant
"The Selfish Giant" is a fairy tale written for children by Oscar Wilde, an Irish writer. [A fairy tale is a children's story that features imaginary or magical places and beings.] Following is the summary of the story. Once upon a time there was a beautiful garden. The children of the village used to come... Continue Reading →
A Respectable Woman
Writer: Kate Chopin (original name: Katherine O'Flaherty) (1851-1904) Characters: Mrs. Baroda Gaston, Mrs. Baroda's husband Gouvernail, Gaston's college friend Theme: inner conflict between unrestrained desire and social limitations of a respectable woman Summary plus Interpretation of the Story "A Respectable Woman" is a short story written by an American writer Kate Chopin. The story highlights... Continue Reading →
Neighbours
Writer: Tom Winton, full name Timothy John Winton (b. 1960) Characters: The young couple Macedonian family Polish widower The neighborhood little boy The neighborhood women The midwife Theme: Multiculturalism; establishment of friendly relationship among neighbours despite cultural and linguistic barriers. Summary of the story The short story "Neighbours" by an Australian writer Tom Winton raises... Continue Reading →
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