Short Stories Complete Note

Priscilla and the Wimps

A short story by Richard Peck focusing on themes of bravery, loyalty, and unexpected alliances among adolescents.

Friendship and Loyalty

Highlighted through Priscilla's unwavering loyalty to her friend Melvin, showcasing the power of friendship in overcoming challenges.

Courage

Emphasized by Priscilla's actions as she confronts bullies, challenging the status quo and asserting her values.

Social Dynamics

Explored by Peck, illustrating how individuals navigate peer pressure and assert their identities within schools.

Lamb to the Slaughter

A short story by Roald Dahl featuring themes of betrayal, revenge, and deception in a domestic setting.

Betrayal

Mary's emotional turmoil and subsequent actions stem from feeling betrayed by her husband, Patrick.

Revenge

Mary seeks revenge on Patrick through a shocking crime, using a weapon associated with her domestic role.

Deception

Mary deceives the police with her facade of innocence and hospitality, concealing her guilt and the evidence of her crime.

On the Sidewalk Bleeding

A short story by Evan Hunter exploring themes of identity, consequences of violence, and symbolism in an urban setting.

Identity

Central theme depicted through Andy's struggle to be recognized as an individual beyond his gang affiliation.

Consequences of Violence

Vividly illustrated through Andy's suffering and eventual death, serving as a commentary on gang-related violence.

The Landlady

A short story by Roald Dahl focusing on deception, innocence, and the sinister lurking beneath the ordinary in a mysterious setting.

Deception and Appearances

Highlighted by the landlady's friendly facade concealing her malevolent nature.

Innocence and Naivety

Illustrated through Billy's trust in the landlady, emphasizing the risks of blindly trusting strangers.

The Lottery

A short story by Shirley Jackson critiquing blind adherence to tradition, mob mentality, and the arbitrary nature of violence in a small town.

Blind Adherence to Tradition

Critiqued through the townspeople's unquestioning participation in the brutal lottery ritual.

Mob Mentality

Explored by showcasing how individuals can partake in heinous acts when influenced by group dynamics.

Sinister Aspects of Human Nature

Revealed through the capacity for violence and cruelty within the seemingly civilized society of the town.

The Tell-Tale Heart

A short story by Edgar Allen Poe about a narrator who kills an old man because of his eerie eye, but is haunted by guilt and the sound of the victim's heartbeat. He confesses due to overwhelming paranoia and madness.

Collective Violence

Shirley Jackson's portrayal of the insidious nature of collective violence and the sinister forces within societal structures in "The Lottery."

Guilt and Madness

Central themes in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart," showcasing the destructive power of a guilty conscience and the collapse of sanity.

Obsession

Illustrated in "The Tell-Tale Heart" through the narrator's fixation on the old man's eye, leading to irrational and violent actions.

Isolation

Explored in Poe's story as a breeding ground for the narrator's deteriorating mental state, emphasizing the detrimental effects of alienation on the human psyche.

Escalating Fear

Highlighted in Nadine Gordimer's "Once Upon A Time" as the family's fear of the outside world drives them to extreme security measures, isolating themselves.

Tragic Irony

Seen in Gordimer's story as the family's efforts to protect themselves paradoxically lead to their downfall, revealing the irony of their situation.

Once Upon a Time

A short story by Nadine Gordimer about a family's escalating fear of the outside world, which leads them to install extreme security measures. Their paranoia tragically leads to their downfall.