A famous short story is 'A Rose for Emily' by William Faulkner. It tells the story of Emily Grierson, a reclusive woman in a southern town. The story is told in a non - linear fashion, jumping between different time periods. Emily's strange behavior, including her relationship with a man named Homer Barron, and the mystery surrounding her life keep the readers intrigued.
One very famous short story is 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry. It tells the story of a young couple, Jim and Della. Della sells her long hair to buy a chain for Jim's precious watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della's hair. It's a beautiful tale of selfless love and sacrifice, showing that the most precious gifts are often not material things but the love and thought behind them.
Another well - known one could be a story from Saul Bellow's works. Bellow often set his stories in Chicago. His stories usually explore the intellectual and emotional lives of his characters in the urban setting of Chicago. They might deal with themes such as identity, alienation, and the pursuit of the American Dream in the context of the city's bustling streets and diverse neighborhoods.
One famous 2 - page short story is "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. It tells the story of a young couple, Della and Jim. Della sells her long, beautiful hair to buy a chain for Jim's watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della's hair. It's a heartwarming tale about selfless love and sacrifice in the face of poverty.
A well - known short love story is 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway. It's about an American man and a girl named Jig. They are at a train station in Spain, having a conversation that is filled with subtext. It seems they are facing a decision about an unplanned pregnancy. The man wants Jig to have an 'operation' (implied abortion), while Jig is hesitant. Their relationship and love are tested through this difficult situation and their terse exchanges.
Sure. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a relatively non - famous but very interesting short story. It tells the story of a woman's descent into madness while confined in a room with yellow wallpaper.
One famous short ghost story is 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a narrator who is haunted by the old man's vulture - like eye and ultimately kills him. The narrator then becomes consumed by guilt as he hears the sound of the old man's still - beating heart, which drives him to confess his crime.
One famous one might be 'A Christmas Memory' by Truman Capote which was perhaps published in The New Yorker. It's a story that beautifully captures the essence of Christmas through the eyes of a young boy and his older cousin. Their simple yet heart - warming Christmas traditions like making fruitcakes are really endearing.
Bolesław Prus is a very famous Polish short story writer. His works often explore complex human emotions and relationships within the context of Polish society.
One of the well - known Hungarian short story writers is Dezső Kosztolányi. His works are known for their beautiful prose and deep exploration of human nature. Another is Frigyes Karinthy, who was very creative in his storytelling and often incorporated humor and thought - provoking ideas in his short stories. And then there's Sándor Márai, whose short stories are often filled with a sense of melancholy and a profound understanding of the human condition.
Another is 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock' by T.S. Eliot. It tells the story of Prufrock, a rather self - conscious and indecisive man. He is contemplating his life, his relationships, and his place in society. The poem takes the reader through his thoughts as he wanders through the streets and attends social functions, filled with a sense of anxiety and a feeling of being an outsider.