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The Outcasts of Poker Flat by Bret Harte Analysis
If you like playing Red Dead Redemption, if you enjoyed The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, I recommend “The Outcasts of Poker Flat”, a short story by Bret Harte, published in the late 1800s as the century was coming to a close.
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The Damned Thing by Ambrose Bierce Analysis
Hard to remember now, but ‘damned’ used to be a full on swear word. A teacher at high school once pounced on me for using it (though by the 1990s I think she was being ridiculous). ‘Damned’ was certainly shocking 100 years earlier than that, in 1893, when Ambrose Bierce published his horror short story […]
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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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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 Wrestler Film Analysis: Appearance vs. Reality
The Wrestler (2008) directed by Darren Aronofsky remains one of the best, and also one of the saddest, films I’ve seen. Australia’s Margaret and David both gave the film five out of five stars. Logline: A faded professional wrestler must retire, but finds his quest for a new life outside the ring a dispiriting struggle. […]
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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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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 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 […]
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A Rose For Emily by William Faulkner Short Story Analysis
“A Rose For Emily” is a short story by Mississippi born William Faulkner, first published 1930. I didn’t know of the short story when I listened to the podcast Shit Town.
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Dump Junk by Annie Proulx Short Story Analysis
“Dump Junk” is a short story by Annie Proulx, included in the Bad Dirt collection (2004). This is a revisioned fairytale based on The Magic Porridge Pot and similar. Proulx’s shorts stories in many ways allude to, cite, and subvert a number of myths, legends, fairy tales, and folktales converging as common cultural patrimony. Annie […]
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The Wamsutter Wolf by Annie Proulx Short Story Analysis
“The Wamsutter Wolf” by Annie Proulx is a short story included in the Bad Dirt collection (2004). The title of the collection comes from this story. SETTING OF “THE WAMSUTTER WOLF” This particular setting can be geolocated. Wamsutter is a town in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 451 at the 2010 census. Wikipedia As of this […]
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Big Blonde by Dorothy Parker Analysis
“Big Blonde” (1929) by Dorothy Parker is a short story in five parts, included in various collections. We can read it for free online. The ‘Good Sport’ girl is the grandmother of Gillian Flynn’s ‘Cool Girl’. When Gillian Flynn published Gone Girl, our culture had a new phrase to describe the kind of woman who […]
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What Kind Of Furniture Would Jesus Pick by Annie Proulx Short Story Analysis
“What Kind of Furniture Would Jesus Pick?” (2003) by Annie Proulx is the story of Gilbert Wolfscale, whose rabid devotion to his ranch drives off his wife and sons. You can read this one online. SETTING OF “WHAT KIND OF FURNITURE WOULD JESUS PICK?” This story reminds me of Larry McMurtry’s Hud, probably because it’s […]