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Short Stories
Short stories are a subgenre of fiction. They are shorter than a novel, and are usually specific to one plot and with a limited number of characters. Other names for a short story include microfiction, drabbles, and novellas.
5,718 Questions
What are some themes to Gary Soto's short story Mother and Daughter?
The theme to this story is to be always be grateful for what you have. In the story Yollie is poor and is embarrassed because of it. She is so poor that they can't even afford to buy a new dress for the dance at her school, so they die one of her old dresses black. When the dress "falls apart" so to speak, Yollie is so upset that they don't have money that she yells at her mom. Of course her mom doesn't want to see Yollie upset that they don't have enough money, so this makes Mom upset. If Yollie was just happy for what she had and looked at the glass as half full and not half empty, maybe she could have spared her mother being so upset.
What was the flashback the necklace short story?
Flashbacks are a twentieth century invention- and are often used to add plot depth in situations where ( like possibly long pauses on disabled planes) there is little visible action going on and people start retrospection. These situations did not exist in the nineteenth century and hence flashbacks were not generally used- such things as a form of time travel via found diaries of now-deceased people, that sort of thing. The plot gets back to the beginning in the conclusion, when the now impoverished MMe Loisel finds out- after paying off the money- that the item was a cheap counterfeit or costume item worth at best a few dollars. it"s a big let down. My guess she had a heart attack. ( similar tales exist about Confederate Money). actually it is not really a flashback as the whole tale is in a recovery mode. her entire life has been dominated by getting up the money for the lost item. a little anti-commercial if you ask me.
What is the significance of the title My father goes to court by Carlos bulosan?
When I was four I lived with my mother and brothers and sisters in a small town on the island of Luzon. Father's farm had been destroyed in 1918 by one of our sudden Philippine floods, so for several years afterward we all lived in the town, though he, preferred living in the country. We had a next-door neighbor, a very rich man, whose sons and daughters seldom came out of the house. While we boys and girls played and sang in the sun, his children stayed inside and kept the windows closed. His house was so tall that his children could look in the window of our house and watch us as we played, or slept, or ate, when there was any food in the house to eat.
Now, this rich man's servants were always frying and cooking something good, and the aroma of food was wafted down to us from the windows of the big house. We hung about and took all the wonderful smell of the food into our beings. Sometimes, in the morning, our whole family stood outside the window of the rich man's house and listened to the musical sizzling of thick strips of bacon or ham. I can remember one afternoon when our neighbor's servants roasted three chickens. The chickens were young and tender and the fat that dripped into the burning coals gave off an enchanting odor. We watched the servants turn the beautiful birds and inhaled the heavenly spirit that drifted out to us.
Some days the rich man appeared at a window and glowered down at us. He looked at us one by one, as though he were condemning us. We were all healthy because we went out in the sun every day and bathed in the cool water of the river that flowed from the mountains into the sea. Sometimes we wrestled with one another in the house before we went out to play.
We were always in the best of spirits and our laughter was contagious. Other neighbors who passed bu our house often stopped in our yard and joined us in our laughter.
Laughter was our only wealth. Father was a laughing man. He would go into the living room and stand in front of the tall mirror, stretching his mouth into grotesque shapes with his fingers and making faces at himself; then he would rush into the kitchen, roaring with laughter.
There was plenty to make us laugh. There was, for instance, the day one of my brothers came home and brought a small bundle under his arm, pretending that he brought something to eat, maybe a leg of lamb or something as extravagant as that, to make our mouths water. He rushed to Mother and threw the bundle into her lap. We stood around, watching Mother undo the complicated strings. Suddenly a black cat leaped out of the bundle and ran wildly around the house. Mother chased my brother and beat him with her little fists, while the rest of us bent double, choking with laughter.
Another time one of my sisters suddenly started screaming in the middle of the night. Mother reached her first and tries to calm her. My sister cried and groaned. When Father lifted the lamp, my sister stared at us with shame in her eyes.
"What is it?" Mother asked.
"I'm pregnant!" she cried.
"Don't be a fool!" Father shouted.
"You are only a child," Mother said.
"I'm pregnant, I tell you!" she cried.
Father knelt by my sister. He put his hand on her belly and rubbed it gently. "How do you know you are pregnant?" he asked.
"Feel it!" she cried.
We put our hands on her belly. There was something moving inside. Father was frightened. Mother was shocked.
"Who's the man?" she asked.
"There's no man," my sister said.
"What is is, then?" Father asked.What is the conclusion in the story Magnificence by estrella alfon?
In the story "Magnificence" by Estrella Alfon, the conclusion reveals a tragic twist as the characters find themselves in a love triangle that ends in betrayal and death. The protagonist, Nena, discovers the affair between her mother and the young man she is infatuated with, leading to a confrontation that ends in violence. The conclusion highlights the destructive nature of secrets and the consequences of forbidden love.
Complete summary of Wedding Dance by Amador Daguio?
The character's goal in the story was to have a child because in their tribe they need to have a child . the main problem was lumnay and awiyao can't have a child so awiyao needs to marry another woman , madulimay. If I were confronted with the same problem , I would get really hurt if my husband were to marry another woman because we cannot have a chld and it will hurt because I know that he loves me but yet he needs to find another for he's own good and for his responsibilities. The type of conflict was man vs. man or man vs. itself because in man vs. man the people in his tribe is telling him to marry another in man vs. itself he loves lumnay but he needs to marry another so he is making a hard decision. They solved the problem by thinking it over. They talked to each other. The best part of the story was the ending because I think when lumnay went to the wedding dance and its like she wanted to go there but she couldn't its like she already moved on even though it hurts. No , because I thought that it will be lumnay and awiyao because they love each other but yet awiyao married another. If I could end the story I would end it by lumnay and awiyao would be together even though they cannot have a child because if they love each other they should be together because I believe that if you love someone you should fight for him/her and no matter how much people criticize you for that.
Who was daphne belmont in the wooing of beppo tate?
describe mrs belmont in the story of the wooing of beppo tate
Who is the character of The Summer Solstice by Nick Joaquin?
Donya Lupeng Moreta- long-married woman with three children
• Don Paeng Moreta- the highly moral husband of Donya LupengGuido- young cousin to the Moretas who studied in Spain
• Amada- the family cook and Entoy's wife
• Entoy- the family driver
What is the genre of the story the open window by Saki?
Framton Nuttle, a nervous young man, has come to stay in the country for his health. His sister, who thinks he should socialise while he is there, has given him letters of introduction to families in the neighbourhood who she got to know when she was staying there a few years previously.
Framton goes to visit a Mrs Stapleton, and while he is waiting for her to come down, he is entertained by her fifteen-year-old niece. The niece tells him that the French window is kept open, even though it is October, because her aunt's husband and her brothers were killed in a shooting accident three years ago, and Mrs Stapleton believes they will come back one day.
When Mrs Stapleton comes down she talks about her husband and brothers, and how they are going to come back from the shooting soon, and Frampton, believing she is derranged, tries to get her to distract her by talking about his health. Then, to his horror, Mrs Stapleton points out that her husband and brothers are coming, and he sees them walking towards the window, with their dog. He thinks he is seeing ghosts, and runs away.
Mrs Stapleton can't understand why he has run away, and when her husband and brothers (who of course are not ghosts) come in, she tells them about the odd young man who has just left. The niece explains that Frampton Nuttal ran away because of the spaniel, he is afraid of dogs since being hunted by a pack of pariah dogs in India. (the niece enjoys making up stories about people).
What is the theme of the story 'A Year Down Yonder'?
There are many conflicts to A Year Down Yonder. One is that a tornado came while Mary Alice was in school so she ran all the way home to make sure that Grandma Dowdel was okay. Another conflict was that both Carleen Lovjoy and Mary Alice both liked Royce McNabb.
Key elements could include the protagonist's emotional journey and internal conflict about leaving Earth, the sense of urgency and tension as she races against time to reach the moon, and the development of her character as she grapples with the enormity of her mission and her impact on humanity. The setting, plot, and character development would be crucial in conveying the story's themes of sacrifice, courage, and the potential for redemption.
In All Summer in a Day how does the setting affect plot development?
The setting in "All Summer in a Day" plays a crucial role in the plot development as the constant rain on Venus intensifies the isolation and cruelty experienced by the main character, Margot. The oppressive weather heightens the anticipation and longing for sunlight, which ultimately leads to the children's betrayal of Margot. The setting underscores themes of jealousy, isolation, and the impact of external circumstances on human behavior.
The life of cardo by amador t daguio?
The people of the town never understood Cardo. I alone, perhaps, understood him a little. Of course we all have a right to our own opinions.
Last vacation when I went to visit my relatives in Pasuquin, I first saw him. I was talking to Lorenza before their window when Cardo passed with dragging footsteps, his head bowed. He was not much over five feet tall with a gnarled, disjointed body like the trunk of a balete tree. At night, he took on an especially grotesque fearful aspect. He always wore a black camesa de chino, and his pants, reaching to the knees, were also black. This added to his unearthly appearance.
The girl said: "He is very terrible."
"Has he ever done wrong?"
"No."
"Why is he terrible then?"
"Only see how he looks! He is like the devil. He is very ugly. He looks drunk. He seems cruel."
He was the fear of the mothers, I learned. For though he was terrible and ugly, he had very nice way with children. Not with those who could walk and run. No. In fact, Lorenza said that the older children were afraid of him and hid at his approach. But the babies were not afraid. The small babies smiled radiant, happy smiles at him. The babies did not smile at their own fathers or mothers as they smiled at Cardo. That was why the parents were afraid of him; in fact, they hated him. Cardo might steal their babies. Or he might be the brother of the devil who cast spell over their children.
One day, so the beautiful Lorenza told me, Cardo was passing by. He saw a small baby in the arms of its mother- or the baby saw him (she corrected herself) - and the baby smiled. A beautiful smile that would touch a heart in sorrow. The mother was wondering why her baby was so suddenly restless. The baby was looking over its mother's shoulder. The mother looked around and saw, gnarled and distorted, ugly Cardo. She was frightened and screamed so loud that her husband who was sleeping, woke up. The mother did not see the baby smile. But Lorenza said that she saw him and Cardo smile at each other. Cardo's face was haggard, wasted, twisted, but the way he smiled was as clear as the sun in the morning. And the baby was smiling like the angels who look down on Jesus in the pictures the town priest often gave to the people of the town. Lorenza feared the smile even in its beauty because it was so strange.
Then the father came down with a piece of bamboo hardened by fire in his hand...
"What is it? What is it!" he cried.
Than he saw Cardo. The father ran up to Cardo and began to beat him with the bamboo. It was good the bamboo was not a bolo. But poor Cardo did not return the blows. He could have fought back, Lorenza said, for Cardo was quite strong. But Cardo was dazed, the girl told me. Cardo only looked at the father with surprised and then supplicating eyes. Cardo's head and breast were bleeding. Carlo tried to protect himself with his arms, then he groaned, --swooned, Lorenza thought,--and the neighbors intervened.
Later Cardo rose up painfully still groaning, poor man. Yet he did not say a word; he only looked at the people and the child's father with something like prayer in his sad, gleaming eyes. He groaned all the while. A beaten dog was better than he. Perhaps he wondered why he was punished for just smiling at the innocent baby. But the baby was so beautiful and no one had ever seen the child smile before like it smiled at Cardo.
Then Cardo staggered away. The people said he lived in a small cogon hut near the river. The baby saw him going and smiled again.
The beautiful Lorenza often wondered what power had Carlo over babies. She saw many babies smile at Cardo even when they cried before their mothers. That, perhaps, was the reason why Cardo was never understood, was hated by fathers and mothers. He was probably a witch,
Life of Cardo, page 2
the brother of the devil. Lorenza told me that though she feared him even as the other people did; she wanted to see the smile, though she feared even the smile.
I was greatly interested. My glance followed Cardo until he disappeared in the woods by the river. He might have been beaten again, the girl told me.
"Oftentimes I think that too. But you see, his ugly, distorted face drives pity and sympathy away. Of course, they are doing injustice to the poor man-especially as he has never done any harm. But they are only playing safe with their children. Why does Carlo make the children smile that way? He might throw a charm upon them - the parents are naturally afraid."
I nodded. "From, where is he?"
"That adds to the mystery."
"Does he often come to the town?"
"Yes. Even if he is always punished. He comes-and looks through the windows-to find if there are babies to smile at. And they do not dare to kill him either, because though he is beaten until he is conscious, he does not return the blows. He only goes back to the river-and comes again."
"Perhaps he wants to be killed."
"Could that be?"
I nodded." Maybe, "I said. " Maybe, he wants to tell something. His life has a meaning, maybe. Maybe…"
Then came that day I talked to Cardo. I told myself after I had seen him that I at last understood him. Now I doubt it. He is still an enigma. Unsolved.
It was at the cemetery at Pasuquin. The cemetery is no longer used. During the Spanish times, yes; now it is too far from the town to be utilized. But I am interested in relics and visited the place several times.
The graves were old, and most of the crosses were down. The place was overgrown with grass and sweet-smelling herbs. Wild flowers grew there that somehow were beautiful with sadness. There were even trees growing over the graves-nourished perhaps on the bones of the dead.
The evening was falling, and as I walked to the farther end of the cemetery, I thought I had heard a low cry. I was a little startled. Then I saw the form of a man.
It was Cardo. He was crying over a grave. I recognized him because of his ugly, distorted body like the balete. I touched his shoulders.
He moved. Then in the dusk I saw him smile that radiant smile of his that babies lived so much. But something seemed to creep in my blood.
" Why are you here" " I asked.
" Yes." Only that ghostly " yes" for an answer.
" Your dead?'
He smiled. " You know, " he answered.
And he told me the tale of his life. A tale filled with the mysteries of life, full of passion and desire and yet of sweetness.
" …I was a seeker after the meaning of life, " he told me. " I wanted to know if life is dreaming or living and dying. I saw the many beautiful things of the world, like flowers and their perfumes, sunsets. While I, myself, was distorted and ugly. Ugly face, ugly feet, twisted, gnarled…I look like the devil. In my childhood they named me, screamed at me: " Judas! Judas! Judas! I was puzzled at first. Why did they call me Judas? I was not bad. Judas!
I prayed-better than they. Only, I was ugly. Only for that did they call me Judas. " Why?" I asked myself, I wanted to know why they called me Judas and why they admired what was perfect and beautiful, what was charming and good. Why I, too, admired what was good. And why they hated me because I was nothing but a freak of God. Might I not know?...
" And I went away. I was lonely-among strange men and in strange places. Still they jeered at me, laughed at me. Called me Judas and other dirty names. I was even put in prison. They accused me of having stolen something. But might I not learn, why? Why? Might I not?
" I looked at the beauty of women. Of beautiful women. What was in them that they were admired and married by men? I glanced at many pretty portraits by artists, at drawings of naked women. Why did I desire beauty? What was this beauty in life that others fight and die for? Might I not know?
"Then, I do not know-I leaned on a post one day and learned to smile. I smiled at women then and held them spellbound. They began to look at me with worshipping eyes. Had I turned into a God? They began to smile at me. I smiled at a young girl with bright eye. She
Life of Cardo, page 3
smiled. She was slender like the lily. I wondered: what did she find in me who am only a freak of God? Had I beauty within the soul of me? I wondered I wanted to know. I was a seeker for the truth of life."
"She married you?"
"Yes. Yes, I do not know why. I had nothing to show to her to attract her. And she was glorious. But she saw, perhaps, what was beautiful in me, too, what was beautiful in my ugliness that I did not know. Perhaps it was the beauty of the spirit and the intelligence, the soul unhampered in its search for truth. And she fell, perhaps, only in that light…
"I caught the magic of her beauty; I took wholly from her by my own ugliness. I told her I was Judas and she answered by crying. Why should I say that, she asked me, when she loved me? When I was kind? And beautiful? I wondered . I laughed. Beautiful ? Me? I laughed again…
" Then we had a baby. The baby smiled at me. Did it smile because I, his father, was ugly? Called Judas? I wanted to know that-and I know…I know..."
"What do you know?"
"My son smiled at me and I know…"
Without getting his meaning, I asked: "And they are dead?"
"Yes" he answered. "They were both beautiful. They died. Why did they die? I wanted to know that also. I am a seeker of the truth of life. I wanted to know. So I smiled at little children to find the secret. And the women looked at me fearing. Why were they so happy in their children? Because they were living. But why were they living when my child and my dear wife were not? Why did God take them and he did not take the others? I was kind to my wife and child. I loved them and they loved me inspite of my ugliness. Why were they taken from me? I asked God. I asked myself.
"So I smiled at little babies because in them my baby's smile became mine. And the mothers looked at me with hate. I am a witch, they accuse me. Why should they say that? What is life? They beat me-I shed blood. I do not die. What power makes me live? I want to know that too. Why can't they kill me? And why can't I fight, why can I only suffer… and keep smiling at babies?"
It was evening. There were little stars in the heavens. Cardo suddenly said: " I know you. You learn a lot from books. But may I ask you: Why is Cardo like that, and you like that?"
For an answer I scratched my head and he smiled again. He shall live on uncaring, beaten… shedding blood…but wanting to know…what is life…Is there something in life so good, so beautiful that we can never know?
Hope I helped... BTW this is abridged version
/prussiakira
What is the background of Amador T Daguio?
Amador T. Daguio was a Filipino writer and poet known for his works depicting the culture and traditions of the Igorot people in the Philippines. He was born in 1912 in Mountain Province, Philippines, and his writing often focused on themes of love, family, and the struggles of indigenous communities. Daguio's works are celebrated for their lyrical style and emotional depth.
What are the esposition of makato cowrie shell?
Cowrie shells are often used in traditional African rituals and ceremonies as a symbol of wealth, beauty, and spirituality. In some cultures, they are believed to have magical properties and are used for divination. Makato cowrie shells specifically may hold significance within a particular cultural context or tradition.
Seriozha had taken tobacco from his father's table that did not belong to him. He was young and believed that all that belonged to his father was his... both their belongings were the same. He was not addicted to smoking but just wanted to copy his father and become like him, because he loved him so much. Practical things had no effect on him but basically when told to him in story that he should quit smoking he stopped.... not because he understood the ill effects of smoking, but only because he thought his father would die lonely if he smoked (he didn't fear his death, but his father's loneliness).
In "Hunters in the Snow," the three main characters – Tub, Kenny, and Frank – have a strained and dysfunctional relationship characterized by mistrust, manipulation, and hidden motives. Wolff uses these characters to suggest that human nature can be selfish, deceptive, and morally ambiguous when faced with challenges or conflicts, reflecting broader societal issues of alienation, loneliness, and the breakdown of interpersonal relationships. Ultimately, the story highlights the complexities and contradictions inherent in human behavior and the challenges of understanding and connecting with others in a fragmented and often hostile world.
Where is the setting of abakada ina?
The setting of "Abakada Ina" is in the Philippines. The film takes place in various locations around the country, reflecting Filipino culture, traditions, and family dynamics.
Della's character in gift of magi?
She had been saving every penny she could for months, with this result. Twenty dollars a week doesn't go far. Expenses had been greater than she had calculated. They always are. Only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. Her Jim. Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him. (5)
As you might gather from that, Della throws just about every bit of energy she has into being good to Jim. She's been saving for months just to round up money for a Christmas present. She has even endured the humiliation of pinching pennies at stores.
He may not be bringing in much money, but Jim is the cat's pajamas for Della. He deserves the absolute best, which is why she's so set on getting him the perfect present: "Something fine and rare and sterling - something just a little bit near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by Jim" (6).
Della is willing to go to any length to achieve this goal, and ends up selling her one prized possession - her hair - to do it. Although she sheds a tear or two over the hair, really it doesn't seem to affect her that much. She doesn't even think it's much of a choice. She has to get Jim a present: "I had my hair cut off and sold because I couldn't have lived through Christmas without giving you a present. It'll grow out again - you won't mind, will you? I just had to do it" (28).
In fact, the thing that seems to bother Della most about losing her hair is that Jim likes it so much. She's worried he won't find her pretty anymore (though she doesn't really have anything to worry about). She barely seems to think of herself at all. That's devotion.
In the short story The Most Dangerous Game What is does rainsford feel?
Rainsford feels a combination of fear, excitement, and determination throughout the story "The Most Dangerous Game" as he tries to survive being hunted by General Zaroff on Ship-Trap Island. He experiences a range of emotions as he navigates the deadly game of cat and mouse.
Why did Phillis Wheatley write poems?
Phillis Wheatley wrote poems to express her thoughts and feelings, to address social issues such as slavery and racial injustice, and to showcase her literary talent and intelligence, proving that African Americans were capable of producing great works of literature.
What is the characterization in gift of magi?
The characterization in "The Gift of the Magi" focuses on the loving and selfless nature of the main characters, Della and Jim. Della is depicted as caring and sacrificial, willing to give up her most prized possession for Jim's happiness. Jim is portrayed as kind and thoughtful, willing to make a personal sacrifice to show his love for Della. Both characters are characterized by their generosity and devotion to each other.
Sample of a very short story-plot summary?
A young girl discovers a mysterious portal in her backyard that leads to a magical kingdom. She embarks on a journey to rescue the kingdom from an evil sorcerer, learning about courage and friendship along the way. In the end, she unlocks her true potential and saves the kingdom from destruction.
What is the theme of Hector Munro's The Open Window?
The essential theme of his story is deception. Not everything is what it seems. Vera shows how her sweet and innocent nature is all but a front of her mischievious and slightly cruel character. Vera is extremly self possesed and muture beyond her years, her imagination is flamboyant but so overpowering it is almost as though she gives into it. Her quick thinking attitude is aided by her imagination to create her disturbing story to Mr Nuttel. Not sure if this helps anyone, jsut my view of how i see the story.
