There are many. For instance, 'The Story of an Hour' by Kate Chopin. In this short story, the main character experiences a range of emotions in a very short time after hearing of her husband's death. It's a powerful exploration of female identity and freedom. 'Bartleby, the Scrivener' by Herman Melville is also important. Bartleby's repeated response of 'I would prefer not to' has become quite famous, and the story delves into themes of isolation and the individual's relationship with society. And Virginia Woolf's 'Kew Gardens' is a beautiful short story that uses stream - of - consciousness technique to depict the different perspectives of people in a garden setting.
One notable modern literature short story is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It's a disturbing tale that reveals the dark side of human nature through a seemingly ordinary small - town lottery. Another is 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor, which is full of complex characters and religious undertones. And then there's 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway, a story that masterfully conveys a relationship's tension through sparse dialogue.
Well, 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor is a great example. It delves deep into themes of morality, grace, and the grotesque. The story's complex characters and unexpected plot twists make it a memorable short story in contemporary literature. Also, Jhumpa Lahiri's short stories, like 'Interpreter of Maladies', are very good. She writes about the immigrant experience, family relationships, and cultural clashes in a very poignant and relatable way.
One notable feminist literature short story is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It shows the oppression of women through the protagonist's descent into madness due to the restrictions placed on her by society and her husband. Another is 'A Room of One's Own' by Virginia Woolf, which, although more of an essay in short story - like form, argues for women's need for financial independence and a space of their own to be creative. Also, 'Giovanni's Room' by James Baldwin has feminist undertones as it explores themes of gender roles and identity in a complex way.
There might be 'The Gift of the Magi'. This story beautifully portrays the selfless love between a young couple. They sacrifice their most precious possessions to buy gifts for each other, showing the true meaning of love during Christmas.
Another feature is the variety of themes. Love, death, and social class are common. In Scandinavian short stories, there's often a theme of the individual's struggle against nature or society. In Eastern European short stories, the after - effects of war and political upheaval are frequently explored. European short stories also use different literary devices such as symbolism and irony to convey their messages effectively.
Some well - known ones are 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It's a heartwarming story about a couple sacrificing for each other. Another is 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant, which shows the consequences of vanity.
One well - known British horror short story is 'The Monkey's Paw' by W.W. Jacobs. It tells the tale of a magical monkey's paw that grants wishes but with unforeseen and often terrifying consequences. Another is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe, though he was American, his works had a great influence on British horror. It delves into the mind of a madman who is haunted by the sound of a dead man's heart. Also, 'Carmilla' by Sheridan Le Fanu is a classic. It's about a female vampire, predating Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' and exploring themes of female sexuality and horror in a unique way.
Well, 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' is also quite remarkable. It has a complex plot and interesting characters. The story contains elements of dark humor and explores themes like morality and the unexpectedness of life. Through the interactions of the characters, especially the grandmother, we see different aspects of human nature and how quickly a situation can turn from normal to chaotic.
In 'English Literature Anthology Short Stories', you might find works like 'A Rose for Emily' by William Faulkner. This story has a complex narrative structure and delves into themes of time, tradition, and the human psyche. Additionally, stories by Katherine Mansfield, such as 'Miss Brill', which beautifully captures the loneliness and self - delusion of the main character.
Well, they often have diverse themes and characters. And the writing styles can vary a lot, from simple and straightforward to complex and poetic.
There's 'Eleven' by Sandra Cisneros. In this story, a young girl is on the cusp of growing up and has to deal with the emotions of being in between childhood and adolescence. 'The Scarlet Ibis' by James Hurst also tells a coming - of - age story through the relationship between two brothers, with themes of pride and regret.