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Old Man Minick by Edna Ferber Analysis
“Old Man Minick” is a short story by Edna Ferber, published 1922. A widower learns how to live contentedly after his wife dies unexpectedly before he does. WHAT HAPPENS IN “OLD MAN MINICK” Set in Chicago in the early 20th century, nearish the union stock yards, which were infamous for their stink. There’s mention of […]
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Alice Munro, Queenie & Coercive Control
One remarkable thing about Alice Munro: her ability to see aspects of psychology which only drew public attention decades later. In “The Bear Came Over The Mountain” we have a beautiful character study of a philandering man and, his self-justification for wrong-doing and what has since been called sexual solipsism. In “Queenie” Munro paints a picture of what the authorities…
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The Bear Came Over The Mountain by Alice Munro Short Story Analysis
“The Bear Came Over The Mountain” is one of the 25 Alice Munro Stories You Can Read Online Right Now. (There’s a possible paywall.) Sarah Polley adapted this short story for film. The film is called Away From Her. This story was first published in The New Yorker (December 27, 1999 and January 3rd, 2000). THE TITLE OF […]
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Champion by Ring Lardner Analysis
“Champion” is a short story about boxing by Ringgold Lardner, who was an American sports columnist as well as a short story writer. He had three main subjects: sports, marriage and theatre. The story was first published in October 1916, Metropolitan magazine. Lardner’s family was wealthy, he had to wear a brace on his foot […]
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The Three Strangers by Thomas Hardy Short Story Study
“The Three Strangers” is a short story by Thomas Hardy, published as a serial in 1883. The story is set in 1820s pastoral England and is one of Hardy’s ‘Wessex Tales’. SETTING OF “THE THREE STRANGERS” Reading this story now, nigh on 200 years after it’s set, the setting of “The Three Strangers” feels almost […]
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The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber Short Story Analysis
“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (1939) is a short story by American humorist James Thurber. The story has been adapted several times for film, most recently in 2013. I haven’t seen the films but it’s interesting someone financed feature length movies out of a story so short — “Walter Mitty” is 2,512 words. “Brokeback […]
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Rain by W. Somerset Maugham Analysis
“Rain” by W. Somerset Maugham is a fish-out-of-water story, in which characters wholly unsuited to their environment become marooned somewhere due to external circumstances.
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The Happy Hypocrite by Max Beerbohm Analysis
“The Happy Hypocrite” is a short story by Max Beerbohm first published 1897. Basically, in this misogynistic tale, a man who won’t take no for an answer pursues a much younger girl anyway. Her goodness improves his countenance for real, and he is rewarded by owning her forever after. Lest you think “The Happy Hypocrite” […]
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I’m A Fool by Sherwood Anderson Analysis
“I’m A Fool”(1922) is a short story written by American Sherwood Anderson, who was born around the time Lonesome Dove is set, and who died at the beginning of the second world war. So, he came along at the end of the cowboy days, lived through one world war and was heading into another. Anderson […]
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Flowering Judas by Katherine Anne Porter Short Story Analysis
“Flowering Judas” is the standout short story by Pulizer Prize winning Katherine Anne Porter, included in a collection published 1930 when Porter was 40. This short story reminds me of “A Dill Pickle” by Katherine Mansfield. Both stories are clearly about the way in which women are socially acculturated into providing emotional labour for men, […]
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The Gift Of The Magi by O. Henry Analysis
See, “The Gift Of The Magi” (1905) is why we don’t buy secret gifts. Aren’t we always told in relationships that communication is key? Yes, yes it is. Either buy your own presents, or drop strong hints in the lead up to gift giving season. Wait, that’s not what I’m meant to take away from […]
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The Murders In The Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe Analysis
“The Murders In The Rue Morgue” by Edgar Allan Poe (1841) is thought to be the first modern detective story. (Well, Oedipus is sometimes considered the first one on record.) For me there is little interesting about this story, except for its influence on the crime genre. That in itself makes it worth reading. As […]
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The Leader of the People by John Steinbeck
The Red Pony (1933) by John Steinbeck is described as an episodic novella, or interconnected short stories. “The Leader of the People” is the final work in the four interrelated stories in The Red Pony (1937, 1945). I really enjoyed this story from The Golden Argosy collection (as recommended by Stephen King), as it still […]
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The Killers by Ernest Hemingway Analysis
“The Killers” is a short story by Ernest Hemingway, first published 1927. Dorothy Parker goes on record as declaring “The Killers” the best short story of 1929.
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Paul’s Case by Willa Cather Analysis
“Paul’s Case” is a short story by Willa Cather, first published in McClure’s Magazine in 1905 under the title “Paul’s Case: A Study in Temperament”. As a New Zealander, I have a longterm interest in Katherine Mansfield. I’m coming late to American Willa Cather, but the first thing I notice is that she was writing short […]