‘‘Us and Them’’: Divisions Between People In this story, the fence built by the family is an actual barrier that divides people. In erecting a fence, Mother is saying to the vagrants, ‘‘This is my property. Keep off. You don’t belong here.’’ Before the fence is erected, the vagrants feel appreciative of the family. They…
Tag: Themes
End of the Game – Themes
Envy and Guilt The nameless Narrator in ‘‘End of the Game’’ is envious of Letitia and, at the same time feels terribly guilty for her envy. She envies Letitia’s special privileges: The Narrator also is envious when it becomes clear that Ariel prefers Letitia. This envy is complicated because the Narrator envies a disabled girl…
A Devoted Son – Themes
Respect and Devotion One of the primary concepts explored in ‘‘A Devoted Son’’ is the often complicated nature traditional Indian family relationships. Varma works for forty years, and he and his wife make sacrifices to ensure their son Rakesh can receive the education they did not. Rakesh rewards them by excelling at school, becoming a…
Daughter of Invention – Themes
Acculturation Acculturation is the process of adapting to new cultural norms. In ‘‘Daughter of Invention,’’ Alvarez uses her characters to show how that process can be exciting, confusing, and sometimes painful. Mami, Papi, and Yoyo each adjust differently to the new culture they encounter in the United States. Yoyo and Mami embrace American ways while…
By the Waters of Babylon – Themes
The Potential Dangers of Technological Progress In the story, the catastrophe called the Great Burning appears to have destroyed most of human civilization. Although the exact reason for the Great Burning is never revealed, it is suggested that technological progress allowed humans to develop weapons powerful enough to destroy each other on a massive scale….
Where Have You Gone Charming Billy? – Themes
Autobiographical Fiction Both ‘‘Where Have You Gone Charming Billy?’’ and Going After Cacciato are based on O’Brien’s experiences in the Vietnam War. O’Brien was drafted right after college, and he has said, ‘‘When the draft notice arrived after graduation . . . I thought about Canada. thought about jail. But in the end I could…
Suzy and Leah – Themes
Fear The character of Leah in Yolen’s ‘‘Suzy and Leah’’ is racked with fear. Though she is safe in the present moment of the story, the residue of her experiences in World War II haunts her. In presenting fear as one of the main themes in this story, Yolen emphasizes the effects war has on…
A Problem by Anton Chekhov – Themes
Crime The question of whether or not Sasha is a criminal takes up a great deal of the narrative of ‘‘A Problem.’’ It is clear that the Colonel sees Sasha as such. Aside from the fact that the Colonel’s name was the one forged on the promissory note, it is the Colonel who argues forcefully…
The Pit and the Pendulum – Themes – Sensory Details – Judges
Sensory Perception Poe’s goal in ‘‘The Pit and the Pendulum’’ is to create a mood of terror and despair through language. The narrator is condemned to death, and the entire story (save for the last paragraph) focuses on his reaction to this death sentence as it is slowly carried out. The mood is achieved in…
Ha’penny – Short Story – Themes
Loneliness The theme of loneliness is a prominent one for the focus character in Paton’s short story ‘‘Ha’penny.’’ The twelve-year-old boy has apparently lived by himself on the streets throughout most of his youth. Though he is being housed with a group of youths in the reformatory, he feels separated from them because he has…