Literature Study Guide: Short Stories, Themes, and Symbols

Girl

A mother gives her daughter rapid-fire instructions on how to behave, cook, clean, and live as a woman in society.

The Necklace

Mme. Loisel, unsatisfied with her modest life, borrows a necklace for a fancy ball. She loses it, works 10 years to replace it, and then learns it was fake.

The Chrysanthemums

Elisa Allen tends her chrysanthemums, symbolizing her femininity and creativity. A stranger praises her flowers but then tosses them away.

The Scarlet Ibis

Narrator recalls his disabled brother Doodle. Narrator pushes Doodle beyond his limits out of pride. Doodle dies, symbolized by the fallen scarlet ibis.

The Most Dangerous Game

Hunter Rainsford falls on an island where General Zaroff hunts humans for sport. Rainsford becomes the hunted, then kills Zaroff in the end.

The Open Window

Nervous Mr. Nuttel visits Vera, who tricks him with a story about ghosts. Her aunt's family returns alive, and Nuttel flees in terror.

The Lottery

A small town conducts a lottery where the "winner" is stoned to death. Tessie Hutchinson is chosen as scapegoat.

Mme. Loisel (The Necklace)

Vain, materialistic, careless, but changes after suffering.

Doodle (Scarlet Ibis)

Fragile, innocent, determined despite disability.

Elisa Allen (Chrysanthemums)

Strong yet trapped, longing for more recognition.

Rainsford (Most Dangerous Game)

Skilled, rational, shifts morally when hunted.

General Zaroff (Most Dangerous Game)

Wealthy, cruel, twisted sense of sport.

Vera (Open Window)

Clever, mischievous, deceptive storyteller.

Tessie Hutchinson (Lottery)

Ordinary housewife, becomes victim of ritual violence.

Girl (Theme)

Gender roles, societal control, repetition = pressure.

Necklace (Theme)

Irony, materialism, vanity, class. Symbol = necklace (false value).

Chrysanthemums (Theme)

Gender limitations, unfulfilled dreams. Symbol = flowers = Elisa's potential.

Scarlet Ibis (Theme)

Pride, fragility, brotherhood. Symbol = ibis = Doodle's life.

Most Dangerous Game (Theme)

Morality, survival, reversal of roles. Symbol = island = danger/hunter's world.

Open Window (Theme)

Deception, irony, humor. Symbol = window = illusion vs. reality.

Lottery (Theme)

Tradition, conformity, violence. Symbol = black box = outdated, dangerous traditions.

Lottery (Important Quote)

"The lottery was conducted—as were the square dances, the teen club, the Halloween program..."

Most Dangerous Game (Important Quote)

"Then complete silence. He lay flat, still, as though he had never been alive."

Open Window (Important Quote)

"A great tragedy happened just three years ago..."

Scarlet Ibis (Important Quote)

"The sight of the scarlet ibis against the green of the trees was beautiful."

Necklace (Important Quote)

"After ten years, they had nothing. Mme. Loisel was old now. She looked like an old woman."

Chrysanthemums (Important Quote)

"She was cutting down the old chrysanthemum stalks with a pair of short and powerful scissors."

Girl (Possible Short Answer Practice)

How does the mother's advice reflect societal expectations of women?

Necklace (Possible Short Answer Practice)

Why was Mme. Loisel irresponsible?

Chrysanthemums (Possible Short Answer Practice)

How do the chrysanthemums reflect Elisa's inner life?

Scarlet Ibis (Possible Short Answer Practice)

What does the scarlet ibis symbolize, and how is it connected to Doodle?

Most Dangerous Game (Possible Short Answer Practice)

What does the final line imply about Rainsford?

Open Window (Possible Short Answer Practice)

How does Vera's lie affect the story's mood and theme?

Lottery (Possible Short Answer Practice)

What does the black box symbolize, and why is it important?