... I have studied "And no Birds Sing" by H.E Bates helped develop my understanding of these conflicts through the conflicts described in the story; materialistic parents, freedom and the need to be loved. This short story dealt with the issue of materialistic parents who think that money is everything and that money can buy happiness and love. This is challenged through the daughter, who is ... unhappy at home, when she meets Mr. Thompson who has no need for material possessions except for the few that he owns. As the girl says in the story "the ... these possessions and money. Her parent...

• Word Count: 699
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... an Hour are both very good short stories. Although I personally favored Clever Manka because of the idealism. I enjoy happy endings. Story of an Hour and Clever Manka are alike in that they both involve a husband and a wife. They both display the women as being inferior to men ... because of the time that the stories took place. Back then women were merely there to tend to their husbands' needs. In story of an Hour Mrs. Mallard is so unhappy with her husband that she feels relief when she learns that her husband has been killed in an accident, but ... has conflict with her husband, Mank...

• Word Count: 491
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... Life of Francis Macomber". This is a threat. Francis Macomber, the husband of Margot, lost control over her actions. She began to do what she felt like doing. In the short story "Shiloh", the wife says "I"ll go to Shiloh with you if you"ll stop staring at me." (Mason 299) Norma Jean shows some dominance over her husband. It seems as ... husbands experience for their wives. One difference between these stories is the way the relationship is in the marriage. What has happened throughout the story for the wives in them to do what they did? In "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber", Fr...

• Word Count: 827
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... his wife hoping he could somehow bring her back. Readers also see in "Blankets," by Sherman Alexie, that this short story about Native Americans also brings a sense of endearment, but towards parents instead of lovers. The son in this story respects his father. an alcoholic, enough to let a complete stranger sing a healing song to the blanket that was to be given ... in these stories show feelings towards the ones they love, they even go to the extent of doing things that are not allowed to help their loved ones. Throughout each story, the main characters make mistakes but those mistake...

• Word Count: 620
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

In the short story "Lilies" by Joan London, the reader is introduced to the character of Christine Hollins who is returning back home to her family after seven years. Her relationship with her family ... are now living in a retirement home with " . Tiny living room, bright sunlight from the economy sized windows and the scrappy rugs and faded chains." When Helen is introduced into the story we are given the impression of the unsupportive and uncaring character that she possesses. Her first address to her sister, Christine, was not the usual welcoming statement such as "How ... ...

• Word Count: 586
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Sylvia Grows Up "A White Heron- by Sarah Orne Jewett, is a short story about a young girl's conflict between her love for nature and her desire to be liked by a handsome hunter. Sylvia, who grew up in town, goes to live with her grandmother ... ...

• Word Count: 349
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... An Hour" In the short story, "The Story of an Hour," written by Kate Chopin, irony of a situation is emphasized too show meaning to the story. After Louise finds out the news of the death of her husband, Brently Mallard, Louise's first reaction was to depart in a "storm of grief" with "wild abandonment" (Chopin 3). However instead ... over excitement. Having this sudden attack of death shows that her freedom was now taken away as her husband appeared to her. The author's theme that was presented in this story was to show that sometimes the absence of someone or something might give the...

• Word Count: 274
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

When O"Brien titled the story "The Things They Carried" was he referring to the physical or mental weight that burdened the soldiers? What is the significance of the things they carried? O"Brien emphasizes the physical weight of the things they carry by describing every item up to the last ounce. He implies that no matter how heavy the physical weight, the mental load we carry is always so much more of a burden than any physical weight could ever be. The story starts out describing Lieutenant Cross's relationship with Martha, a girl back home who he loves, but does not reciprocate his feelings...

• Word Count: 876
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

A theme that is covered in various stories is the theme that even if people appear happy on the outside, on the inside there is almost always some sorrow either hidden deep in their heart and soul or being shown to people of the world. There are many different types of sorrow shown or hidden in many different ways in multiple stories, and is sometimes overcome. A Secret Sorrow is a story about a woman, Faye, who is sorrowful that she cannot have children. She hides this from her boyfriend Kai at first by telling him she loves him but cannot marry him, and has not "given a satisfactory reason ...

• Word Count: 1192
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

When speaking seriously on the topic of love as a young girl, a teen, one tends to lose creditability. There is a generalized and common idea that love that is young is not as laudable nor as beautiful as love that is old. It is said that young love burns like brushfire and old love like oak; a simple saying rendering old love forever superior--but what if that oak is rotted? What if the oak is old, decaying and wet and the brush is dry, brittle and clean? I've learned, at least in my experiences, that love is love no matter the age, the wisdom--or the distance. As there are in all great love ...

• Word Count: 1483
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

One Hallows Eve at the annual Halloween Party there was a "Minion" and a "Seahawk" that locked eyes. They were in disguise and attracted at first sight. The night was long the time was good, dancing, talking and learning each other's lives. The connection was unbearable and the feelings were mutual. Not to long after midnight it was time for the Seahawk to make her way home. Unfortunately, the identity was a mystery and she left worried she would never know who the minion of her dreams was. Crying herself to sleep that night, letting true love slip through her fingers she awoke with a new outl...

• Word Count: 741
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... that John was responsible for causing Ann's adultery; however, John's clear intention, motives and a workable plan reveled the possibility. For a short story to be effective, it must be able to produce high levels of intensity, emotion and drama. To do this, it must convey a great deal of information in ... like Eve's temptation to eat the apple. Also, the ways this author describes snowdrifts are like that of snakes. Ann and John, two characters from he short story "The Painted Door", do not have a very healthy relationship. John is a simple farmer who thinks the only way he can please ...

• Word Count: 2012
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

Consequences In Hemingway's "A Very Short Story" In Hemingway's "A Very Short Story," there is a very specific idea presented. Hemingway, however, has a very unique way of portraying this point. His technique can almost be described as confusing. With his simple wording and his careless sentences, it is very easy for the reader to misinterpret or not understand the text. One must read the story very carefully, even numerous ... an affair with a salesgirl. Through this careless affair, the man contracts gonorrhea. Though the wording is very confusing, the reader learns of this from the last s...

• Word Count: 1057
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... family hardships and alcohol, the main problems he was dealing with in his personal life. In the story "Will You Be Quiet Please?," alcohol is used as an excuse for a wives unfaithfulness (Short 53). There is also an obvious inter struggle when Ralph, the husband tries to deal with the ... reader to make an assumption, but leaving very little room for an optimistic ending. "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love," another story written during this time, was also left open for the reader's imagination. Like Carver, the characters are struggling with defining love and each wondering i...

• Word Count: 1298
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... True Nature Some methods of judging character can sometimes lead to a mischaracterization of true nature. In this short story "Good Country People," Flannery O"Conner eloquently illustrates how a person's true nature can be hidden, misinterpreted ... beaded path to mischaracterization of true nature. Judgments based on preconceived stereotyped ideas can result in mischaracterization of an individual or group. This short story gives examples of mischaracterization based on misrepresentation and stereotyping. Joy appears to be a sad and unattractive girl with no interest in love ... Mrs. H...

• Word Count: 744
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... "The Love of My Life" In "The Love of My Life", T. Coraghessan Boyle tells the story of a teenage couple, China and Jeremy, whose mindless actions completely transform their lives. In the beginning of the short story, Boyle paints a pretty picture of a couple obsessively in love with one another. The two have ... baby and their subsequent choice to discard of it in a dumpster sets the stage for a future full of misery. The greatest irony in the short story is that despite the couple's great love for one another, the love from their parents, and their promising education prospects their ...

• Word Count: 1452
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... subject. We all laughed and enjoyed the time as we rode Splash Mountain followed by a lot of walking around to find anything to eat or a ride that was short enough to go on. After quickly eating our sour lollipops Reina bought us we approached the Matterhorn ride, which would prove to be a crazy filled ride we hadn't ... this boy had me wrapped around his finger, sad yet true. And as Wednesday came, I found myself more upset knowing that was his last day, leaving me in nothing short of a terrible mood. I could barely talk to my friends without feeling like I wanted to cry or was burdeni...

• Word Count: 2531
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

... idealism of adolescence and getting along in a variety of complicated relationships all inform the fiction she creates"(362). In "An Ounce of Cure," Munroe tells a story about a girl who found her first love in a small rural town. Much like my first love, she was consumed by this love. She allowed Martin ... my first love, I remember how that love dominated my entire existence. I was always doing infantile things, such as the girl in this story. For example, the girl in the story says that she "hung around places where he might be seen, and then pretended not to see him"(365). When I rea...

• Word Count: 1285
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... Erylnne as a character who, while fully realising what is expected of her, refuses to conform to other people's standards of conduct. In the story "The Nightingale and the Rose" the Nightingale exhibits selflessness and embodies a self sacrificial love. Ironically the little Nightingale is taken for granted and eventually ... scandal, respectability, hypocrisy and the fall from refinement, which were all predominant in his own life. Likewise, the short story "The Nightingale and the Rose" includes some of Wilde's traditional satire but puts emphasis on his views on true love, self-sacrifi...

• Word Count: 1603
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... in the Vietnam War face, but not only does it exhaust ones physical state, but also it mentally affects these men. In Tim O'Brien's short story entitled "The Things They Carried", the setting and characters are used to acknowledge the theme that the Vietnam War takes a toll on ones ... carry mosquito netting, machetes, canvas tarps, and extra bug juice, to keep them from being bitten and catching diseases (O' Brien 641). According to the story, these men are marching up mountains and walking through swamps to keep themselves alive. Often times, the land was mined and booby-trapped, and i...

• Word Count: 1337
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... 1256 in the glossary of the Anthology, Lives Through Literature, the definition of setting is stated as, "The depiction of the place in which a story, play, or poem occurs; may include general environment, spiritual atmosphere, geographic location, time of day, (and/or) historical era." In the Merriam ... to over come tradition, even if it means death. The setting in this story helps to support the theory that forced tradition and love can not co-exist. One will always prevail over the other. Although the short story, "The Horse-Dealer's Daughter" by D. H. Lawrence, has some circumstantia...

• Word Count: 1865
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... from her life. Marvin came back to his vicious, criminal life, which finally led him to jail. This is a story of their short lasting marriage but the real story starts when Lymon Willis one day arrives in town. The main theme of this tale is a strange love and hate triangle ... between the three main characters: Mrs. Amelia Evans, Marvin Macy and Lymon Willis. Each of them loves a person who despises him / her and loves the other at the same time. The atmosphere of the story ... presents how strange feeling love can be and what huge, destroying power is hidden in it. She shows us her t...

• Word Count: 1405
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Etta Mae Johnson By Gloria Naylor I enjoyed reading the story Etta Mae Johnson by Gloria Naylor. Reading this short story was a positive experience for me. Gloria Naylor really managed to bring out what a woman should be aware of when looking for a relationship. The characters were interesting and believable; I believe that ... the Lord. The character of Reverend Woods seemed to make the story more interesting. He was a man who preached one way and lived another. My favorite character was Etta Mae Johnson because she was a woman that everyone loved to hate. Although the story Etta Mae Johnso...

• Word Count: 466
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... what was to come of this garden and all the poisons in it. Imagery and irony are shown throughout this story. In "Rappaccini's Daughter" Hawthorne portrays the theme that when human beings tamper with nature, the results are disastrous. In this short story there is a imagery shown through Beatrice and the poisonous flowers in her fathers garden. In Rappaccini's garden everything is poisonous ... by the sweet sent and then killed. Beatrice and this flower are "sister" because they are the same poison. Beatrice and her sister show imagery in many ways in this short story. Love, Competitio...

• Word Count: 670
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... indirectly convey to the reader. The theme can be paraphrased by the author or shown through statements made by a character. As I read over Ernest Hemingway's short story, Hills Like White Elephants, there is one powerful theme that clearly stands out. In past and present society, the man in a relationship is dominant in relation ... that if they were the dominant members of any relationship they could push women into their beliefs. Through this conversation a certain mood for the story is set. Until they began discussing the operation there was an uncomfortable tension between the two. ...

• Word Count: 963
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School