Many Christmas short stories tend to have a touch of magic or the supernatural. Just like in 'A Christmas Carol', the appearance of ghosts is a key element. Also, these stories often set the scene during the Christmas season, with descriptions of snow, Christmas trees, and holiday feasts. They aim to evoke the feelings of joy, hope, and togetherness that are associated with Christmas. In 'The Little Match Girl', despite the sad undertone, there is still a glimmer of hope and the beauty of the Christmas night described.
Christmas literature short stories often have a strong sense of warmth. They usually feature themes like family, love, and giving, which are central to the Christmas spirit. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the couple's selfless love for each other is highlighted.
They often have a strong sense of moral lessons. For example, in 'A Christmas Carol', the main character Scrooge learns about kindness and generosity. The stories also tend to feature traditional Christmas elements like snow, feasts, and family gatherings. This can be seen in many stories where Christmas dinners play an important part in the plot.
One characteristic is their brevity. They can convey a complete idea, emotion, or story in a relatively short space. For example, in 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, a lot of horror and social commentary is packed into just a few pages. Another characteristic is often a focused theme. Since they are short, they usually center around one main idea, like in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, which focuses on the mental state of the female protagonist.
One characteristic is their conciseness. They manage to tell a complete story in a relatively short space. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', O. Henry uses just a few pages to convey a deep and moving love story. Another characteristic is their ability to explore complex themes like love, death, and social issues. 'The Necklace' explores vanity and the consequences of false pride. Also, many English literature short stories often have a strong narrative voice, like in Poe's works, which draws the reader in.
Japanese short stories often have a focus on the inner thoughts and emotions of characters. For example, in many stories, the psychological turmoil of the protagonist is vividly depicted. They also tend to have a strong sense of place, like descriptions of traditional Japanese settings.
One characteristic is the diversity of voices. They often feature characters from different ethnic, cultural or national backgrounds, like in 'The Joy Luck Club' which has Chinese - American characters. Another is the exploration of cultural clashes and fusions. For instance, stories might show how a character from one culture adapts to a new one. Also, they can expose unique cultural traditions, like the celebration of certain festivals or family values specific to a particular culture.
One characteristic is their concise nature. They can convey complex ideas in a relatively short space. For example, many short stories use vivid imagery to quickly set the scene and mood. In 'The Tell - Tale Heart', Poe uses descriptions like the 'vulture - eye' to create a sense of horror.
Many Russian short stories are rich in symbolism. The objects or events in the stories often represent deeper meanings. For instance, the overcoat in Gogol's 'The Overcoat' symbolizes the little bit of dignity and hope of the poor clerk. And the use of detailed descriptions, whether of the landscape or the characters' appearances, helps to create a vivid and immersive reading experience.
Symbolism is quite prevalent in Thailand literature short stories. For instance, certain animals or natural elements might symbolize different qualities or aspects of human nature. This use of symbolism helps to convey deeper meanings and add layers of interpretation to the stories.
One characteristic is the exploration of identity. Gay short stories often focus on how a character discovers and comes to terms with their sexual identity. For example, in 'A Boy's Own Story', the protagonist is constantly grappling with his homosexuality in a world that is not always accepting. Another characteristic is the portrayal of relationships. These stories may show different types of gay relationships, from passionate love affairs to complex friendships. Also, many gay literature short stories tend to be very introspective, delving into the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters, as seen in 'Giovanni's Room' where the main character is deeply conflicted about his feelings for Giovanni.
Literature doesn't typically include so - called 'anal stories' as it is an inappropriate and vulgar concept not within the realm of proper literary exploration.